Police Department

Re-Assignments: Downtown, Professional Standards, Investigations, and Civil Enforcement

Monique Cotton, Public Information & Communication Director, 509.363.8285

Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 4:44 p.m.

The Spokane Police Department is a dynamic and continuously evolving organization, committed to crime reduction, continuous improvement, and ensuring citizen safety.

Based on our priorities to prevent and reduce crime, respond to citizen needs and concerns, implement Use of Force Commission Recommendations, and work in partnership with the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Program), as of May 23rd, the Spokane Police Department will make the following re-assignments:

1. Following tremendous success in the opening of SPD’s Downtown Precinct last summer, Captain Judi Carl will transition to the role of Captain of Professional Standards, overseeing Training and Internal Affairs.
   This important role will lead the Spokane Police Academy and the hiring and training of more than 30 new recruits, continued implementation of Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for all SPD officers, and training process improvements to meet recommendations from the Use of Force Commission and the Department of Justice COPS Program.
   Additionally, Captain Carl will continue work to achieve and maintain accreditation through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Association (WASPC). Accreditation is also one of the Use of Force Commission’s recommendations. The purpose of the WASPC Accreditation Program is to recognize agencies operating under industry best practices and standards. There are 132 accreditation standards, covering nineteen major law enforcement areas including: Goals and Objectives, Use of Force, Training, etc.
   Captain Carl was instrumental in the process of SPD’s initial accreditation preparation effort, recently receiving the Medal of Merit for her work towards WASPC mock accreditation. She dedicated countless hours to ensuring the project was complete, even while assuming the role of Captain of SPD’s Downtown Precinct. Her experience and tireless efforts in this area will be essential to SPD achieving full WASPC accreditation.
   Captain Carl is a 34-year SPD veteran and most recently served as SPD’s Downtown Precinct Captain. She also has extensive experience in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and leadership of the Spokane Police Academy. She received the Chief’s Citation Award in 2004 and in 2006.
2. Building on Captain Carl’s success as the Downtown Precinct Captain, SPD Captain of Investigations Brad Arleth will assume the role of Downtown Precinct Captain.
   Captain Arleth has extensive experience with SPD, having served the department for the past 22 years in both the Investigative and Patrol divisions. Captain Arleth has received the Employee of the Quarter Award in 2001 and two Chief’s Citation Awards in 2011.
   His primary goals, as were Captain Carl’s, are to continue to reduce crime, engage with the business community, and address quality of life and livability concerns to improve the vitality of Spokane’s downtown.
3. Captain Eric Olsen will lead SPD’s Investigative Division as Captain of Investigations. Captain Olsen will oversee the operations of investigative units including the Major Crimes Unit, Targeted Crimes Unit, Special Investigations Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit, and the Gang Unit.
   Captain Olsen has worked with SPD for 24 years in Patrol, Investigations and Professional Standards. Captain Olsen received the Chief’s Citation Award in 2012.

4. Lieutenant Joe Walker will lead the newly created Civil Enforcement Unit. Lieutenant, Walker will work with a team of a legal and law enforcement professionals, to collaboratively develop comprehensive civil and criminal problem-solving plans.
   As Civil Enforcement Lieutenant, Lieutenant Walker will work with the Civil Enforcement Team to identify community concerns, design crime prevention and reduction strategies, and implement plans to resolve the identified issues through actions such as:
   • Nuisance Abatement
   • Forfeiture and Seizure
   • Evictions
   • Liquor Control
   • Drug Enforcement
   Through this new and innovative crime reduction unit, the Civil Enforcement Team will analyze an issue, develop innovative strategies to focus on the root issues fostering criminal activity in a particular location, and implement these strategies to prevent the re-occurrence of crime.
   Lieutenant Walker has extensive Investigative and Patrol experience, having worked with SPD for the past 25 years, most recently as a Lieutenant on Patrol. Lieutenant Walker was Employee of the Quarter in 2001 and Employee of the Year in 2002. He was awarded the Chief’s Citation Award in 2003, 2011 and 2012.

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