Agenda Item #3.3
For Council Meeting of: May 24, 2022
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JOHN CREGAN, POLICE CHIEF
POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: POLICE OVERSIGHT: INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR AND CIVILIAN REVIEW MODELS AGENDA ACTION: NO ACTION. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Police Department that Council hold a Study Session to receive information, ask questions, and provide feedback to staff regarding best practices for law enforcement oversight, the City’s contract with its independent police auditor, and a review of oversight models from other agencies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Police Department will present an overview of police oversight, which will include a review of effective practices for law enforcement agencies, a review of the scope of work of the City’s independent police auditor, and a look at some models from other agencies.
This study session is provided for the Council’s information, and no action will be taken. The Council will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss, and provide feedback to staff.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Rosa hired an Independent Police Auditor (IPA) in 2014 to make recommendations on how to improve responding to complaints, conducting internal investigations, and improving use of force data collection. The IPA reviewed complaints, officer discipline, personnel investigations, and was available for direct citizen complaints. The IPA’s contract ended in 2018. On November 30, 2021, the Council received a presentation from staff and awarded a contract to OIR Group. The OIR Group LLC meets with and reports directly to the City Manager.
The OIR Group LLC has unfettered access to the department’s complaint database, which includes citizen complaints and internal investigations. They meet regularly with the department’s Professional Standards Team, have the ability to interview employees, audit misconduct complaints and make recommendations for discipline. The OIR Group LLC reviews policies, procedures and trainings to ensure the best equitable policing environment and provides recommendations with input from their Equity Consultant. Additionally, they will meet with community stakeholders in an effort to seek input on policing issues.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
Not Applicable
ANALYSIS
The Police Department is exploring police oversight models and conducted research into the cities of Anaheim, San Leandro, and Novato as well as the County of Sonoma. The three cities currently utilize community panels while the County of Sonoma uses an Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) process. IOLERO has a small Community Advisory Council component. The City of Santa Rosa has utilized the services of an IPA for several years. The City is currently contracted with OIR Group LLC as the Independent Police Auditor who incorporates the effective practices of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. The differences between community panels, IOLERO and OIR Group LLC will be reviewed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Not applicable
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This Study Session is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable
ATTACHMENTS
Not applicable
CONTACT
Kim Grindell, Administrative Secretary
707-543-3551
[email protected]
POLICE OVERSIGHT
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