Drafter
Clerk 10/12/2023
Title
AN ORDINANCE requiring the director of the officer of law enforcement oversight to adhere to specific standards of conduct; and amending Ordinance 15611, Section 4, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.75.030.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Ordinance 15611 established the office of law enforcement oversight in October 2006 in order to instill confidence and public trust in the fairness and integrity of the police accountability system, the King County sheriff's office and its employees.
2. The office of law enforcement oversight conducts audits, reviews, investigations, and policy work informed by community engagement and stakeholder partnership.
3. The King County Charter was amended in 2015 to include the office of law enforcement oversight and to expand the office of law enforcement oversight’s scope and authority to conduct investigations of the King County sheriff's office, complementing its existing authorities.
4. The King County Charter was amended in 2020 to grant subpoena authority to the office of law enforcement oversight pertaining to witnesses, documents and other evidence related to its investigations and reviews of King County sheriff's office employees.
5. The director of the office of law enforcement oversight is one of the most sensitive and important roles in county government, requiring discretion, sound judgement, and the appearance of fairness.
6. The conduct of the director of the office of law enforcement oversight in both professional and personal capacities, has the potential to diminish the director's ability to be seen as an impartial administrator in the director's role and to instill confident and public trust in the fairness and integrity of the policy accountability system, the King County sheriff's office, and its employees.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 15611, Section 4, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.75.030 are hereby amended to read as follows:
A. The director shall be appointed by a majority of the council to implement and manage the duties of the oversight office.
B. The director shall be selected by the council through a nationwide search through a merit-based selection process.
C. The selected director must pass a complete criminal background check before confirmation.
D. The director shall serve a term of four years, unless removed for cause at any time by a majority of the council, and shall be considered for reappointment at the end of each term of office.
E. The director, consistent with the Organizational Motion of the council and within the resources available or budgeted by appropriation, may employ staff or use the services of consultants as may be necessary for conduct of the oversight office's duties.
F. The director shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the oversight office, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
G. The director shall perform duties of the oversight office impartially, competently, and diligently.
H. The director shall conduct personal and extracurricular activities in a way to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of the oversight office.
I. The director shall not engage activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the oversight office.