Sunday, November 22, 2009

ONGOING COVERAGE: POLICE CHIEF SEARCH

How complaints get to the Citizens' Review Commission

Also today Police oversight on trial Lingering aftershocks of 2004 Tasering Boise a model for civilian police oversight How complaints get to the Citizens' Review Commission

June 25, 2006

A person files a complaint with the Spokane Police Department either by phone (509-625-4100) or in writing.

After an investigation, the police chief decides whether it is handled as a "complaint" or an "inquiry." If it's an inquiry, the department can answer it. If it's a complaint, the citizen is told one of four things: the officer acted within policies and procedures; the officer acted outside policies and procedures and will be disciplined; there is insufficient evidence; or the incident was a result of insufficient training.

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 There is a 30-day window to appeal to the Citizens' Review Commission. The commission requests information from the police, but the names of officers and witnesses in internal affairs reports are blacked out.

 After a person presents the complaint to the commission, it deliberates privately and votes on whether the police review was "thorough and objective." If the complaint is upheld, the commission can send it on to the Public Safety Committee for further review.

  The Citizens' Review Commission and the Public Safety Committee, which is an arm of the City Council, have no authority to discipline police officers.