City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 01
Chapter 01.04B
Section 01.04B.170
 

Title 01 General Provisions

Chapter 01.04B Code of Ethics

Part 3 – Ethics Complaints

Section 01.04B.170 Post-Investigation Procedures
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  2. If the investigator finds that the evidence fails to establish that the subject of the complaint has committed prohibited conduct, the independent investigator shall prepare an investigative report with a recommendation of that the complaint be dismissed.
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    2. Whenever an investigator makes a recommendation of dismissal, the investigative report and copies of all documents relating to the investigation shall be forwarded to the Ethics Commission for a final decision on dismissal. Copies of the investigative report and all documents related to the investigation shall be served upon the complainant and the subject of the complaint.
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    2. Upon receipt of an investigator’s investigative report and a recommendation of dismissal, the Ethics Commission may enter an order of dismissal, copies of which shall be served on the complainant and on the subject of the complaint. Such order shall be entered within ten business days.
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  2. If, after investigation, the independent investigator determines that there is reasonable cause to believe the subject of the complaint has committed prohibited conduct in violation of the Code of Ethics, he or she shall prepare an investigative report detailing the evidence and stating the basis for his or her determination. The investigative report and copies of all documents relating to the investigation shall be forwarded to the Ethics Commission with a recommendation that a hearing be held. Copies of the investigative report and all documents related to the investigation shall be served upon the complainant and the subject of the complaint.
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  2. Response by Subject of Complaint
  1. If the subject of the complaint accepts the findings of the investigative report, he or she may stipulate to the violation by submitting a letter to the Ethics Commission within ten business days indicating his or her agreement with the findings. In such instance, the matter will proceed to a hearing before the Ethics Commission for adoption of the stipulation and imposition of a penalty.
  1. The subject of the complaint may contest the findings of the investigative report by submitting a letter within ten business days to the Ethics Commission indicating his or her disagreement with the findings and requesting that a hearing be held to formally contest the findings.
  1. If the subject of the complaint contests the findings detailed within the investigative report or otherwise fails to respond within ten business days to the findings of the investigative report, the matter shall proceed to a contested hearing before the Ethics Commission.

 

Date Passed: Monday, July 8, 2024

Effective Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

ORD C36532 Section 1