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.

Home
Title 04
Chapter 04.32
Section 04.32.010
 

Title 04 Administrative Agencies and Procedures

Chapter 04.32 Office of Police Ombudsman (OPO)

Section 04.32.010 Office of Police Ombudsman

  1. The office of police ombudsman (OPO) is established in order to:

    1. help ensure that investigation of complaints against police officers are accomplished in a timely, fair, and thorough manner;

    2. provide visible, professional, independent civilian oversight of police officers;

    3. provide policy makers with recommendations on improvements to police policies, procedures, training and to improve the quality of police investigations; and

    4. reassure the public that investigations into complaints and allegations of police misconduct are conducted in a timely, thorough, and objective manner.

  2. The police ombudsman and any employee of the OPO must, at all times, be totally independent. Any findings, recommendations, and requests made by the OPO must reflect the independent views of the OPO with the support of the OPO Commission.

  3. No person shall attempt to unduly influence or undermine the independence of the police ombudsman, or any employee of the OPO, in the performance of the duties and responsibilities set forth in this chapter.

Date Passed: Monday, February 10, 2014

Effective Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2014

ORD C35069 Section 1