Police commissioners begin drafting CMC statement to press for oversight resources

Commissioner Farmer said the ad hoc group would center the case management conference statement on obtaining resources "in accordance with the charter to be able to conduct meaningful civilian oversight as the voters intended," and asked Katina to draft language for circulation this week.

The discussion focused on concrete resource gaps the Inspector General and oversight bodies face. The Inspector General warned that audits required by local ordinance have not been completed "and we don't even have staff or a contract to conduct audits," and several commissioners and public commenters urged the statement to be factual and nonpolitical while clearly identifying staffing shortfalls. Director Lawson recommended framing the statement to show what the charter envisioned and what oversight agencies are prepared to do, while engaging the city about a joint transition plan before the Sept. 29 case management conference.

Commissioners agreed on next steps and a schedule: a draft to be circulated by Katina this week, commissioner feedback at the Sept. 27 meeting, a vote at the Sept. 10 meeting to finalize language for submission to the city attorney's office by Sept. 18, and the case management conference on Sept. 29.