City to hold listening session on police bargaining

Police Advisory Committee, mayor, Council to co-host Nov. 16 session

Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740


Friday, November 4, 2016 at 2:33 p.m.


The citizen Police Advisory Committee will co-host with the mayor and City Council a listening session on Nov. 16 to seek input on community priorities before the city enters separate collective bargaining processes with the Spokane Police Guild and the Spokane Police Lieutenants and Captains Association.

The facilitated listening session, which will run from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St., is intended to engage citizens in a discussion about community priorities related to separate labor contracts with the Spokane Police Guild and the Lieutenants and Captains Association before collective bargaining begins with each group. Introducing greater transparency into the collective bargaining process is the last of the citizen Use of Force Commission recommendations.

The listening session discussion will begin with a brief overview of the collective bargaining process. The bulk of the evening will be spent discussing with citizens what they would like the city to work toward during contract negotiations with each of the labor groups.

The current four-year collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Spokane Police Guild, which represents Spokane police officers through the rank of sergeant, expires on Dec. 31. The current five-year agreement with the Lieutenants and Captains Association also expires on Dec. 31.

The citizen Police Advisory Committee is a collection of community representatives who serve as an advisory group to the Office of the Chief of Police regarding community needs and concerns. Its membership includes representatives of faith-based organizations, diversity groups, mental health and disability organizations, and citizens at large.