Councilmember Harrell to host Police Disciplinary Review Process discussion at committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/25/2014

Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Councilmember Harrell to host Police Disciplinary Review Process discussion at committee

Seattle – City Councilmember Bruce Harrell will convene a Special Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee meeting this Wednesday to discuss the Police Chief’s disciplinary review process and the Office of Professional Accountability’s investigative review of police misconduct.

The purpose of the committee meeting is to hold an open and transparent discussion regarding the following issues:

1. Chief Bailey’s decision and explanation of his disciplinary review process and plan moving forward; how does the Chief arrive at settlement process?
2. Provide clarification on the current Office of Professional Accountability complaint process.
3. Provide clarification on the Grievance Procedure under Appendix A of the Seattle Police Officers Guild contract.
4. What are the questions raised to improve the process in resolving grievance cases in a timely manner and work plan to identify a solution?

"As we implement the Department of Justice’s Settlement Agreement and search for a new permanent Police Chief, we must send a clear signal that police misconduct will not be tolerated," said Councilmember Harrell, chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. "There must be a transparent system with appropriate checks and balances."

Councilmember Harrell has invited the following representatives:

1. Harry Bailey, Interim Chief of Police
2. Tag Gleason, Assistant Chief Compliance and Professional Standards Bureau
3. Pete Holmes, City Attorney
4. Jean Boler, Law
5. Hyeok Kim, Deputy Mayor
6. Tina Podlodowski, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Policy and Innovation
7. Barney Melekian, Mayor’s Office
8. Pierce Murphy, Director of the Office of Professional Accountability
9. Susan Coskey, Personnel
10. David Bracilano, Labor Relations
11. Fe Lopez, Interim Director Community Police Commission

WHAT:
Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee

WHEN:
2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 26

WHERE:
Council Chambers, 2nd floor
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

[View in Council Newsroom]