Title
AN ORDINANCE requiring the council review of bylaws for the operation of the citizens' committee on independent oversight; and amending Ordinance 15611, Section 9, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.36.050.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Beginning in January 2006, the county council's law, justice and human services committee held eleven meetings to consider civilian oversight for the sheriff's office. During the same timeframe as the county council's deliberations related to oversight, the sheriff established a "Blue Ribbon Panel" to review the internal management systems within the sheriff's office related to employee misconduct and discipline.
2. The law, justice and human services committee, based on its deliberations and its review of the 2006 sheriff's oversight blue ribbon panel report, developed legislation with the goal to design a system for civilian oversight that allows for the independent civilian monitoring and evaluation of ongoing investigations. The legislation included the creation of a citizens' advisory committee on law enforcement oversight.
3. On October 9, 2006, the council approved Ordinance 15611 regarding civilian oversight of the sheriff's office, creating the office of law enforcement oversight as an independent office within the legislative branch. The office was given significant powers to review complaints and investigations; and to also create a citizens' advisory committee.
4. Shortly after the council approved Ordinance 15611, establishing the requirements for civilian oversight of the sheriff's office, the King County Police Officers Guild filed an unfair labor practice charge against the county. On November 19, 2007, the county and the King County Police Officers Guild finalized an agreement that Ordinance 15611 would be treated as a labor policy and that this policy would need to be bargained in good faith. As a result, the King County Police Officers Guild dismissed its unfair labor practice charge against the count...
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