King County - File #: 2015-0275

• File #: 2015-0275
• Version: 3
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/6/2015
• In control: Committee of the Whole
• Final action: 7/20/2015
• Enactment date: 7/23/2015
• Enactment #: 18087
• Title: AN ORDINANCE providing for the submission to the qualified electors of King County at a special election to be held in King County on November 3, 2015, a proposition to amend Section 898 of the King County Charter and add a new Section 265 to the King County Charter, establishing a charter-based civilian office of law enforcement oversight, providing the office with appropriate authority to carry out its duties and establishing a charter-based citizen advisory committee on law enforcement oversight, making the county executive, in consultation with the county sheriff, the county's bargaining agent concerning civilian oversight of law enforcement; and appointing a committee to write the voters pamphlet statement for the November 3, 2015, special election.
• Sponsors: Larry Phillips, Larry Gossett, Dave Upthegrove, Joe McDermott, Rod Dembowski
• Indexes: Charter, OLEO

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/20/2015	2	Metropolitan King County Council	Hearing Held
7/20/2015	2	Metropolitan King County Council	Passed as Amended	Pass
7/15/2015	1	Committee of the Whole	Passed Out of Committee Without a Recommendation	Pass
7/6/2015	1	Metropolitan King County Council	Introduced and Referred

Drafter
Clerk 07/21/2015
Title
AN ORDINANCE providing for the submission to the qualified electors of King County at a special election to be held in King County on November 3, 2015, a proposition to amend Section 898 of the King County Charter and add a new Section 265 to the King County Charter, establishing a charter-based civilian office of law enforcement oversight, providing the office with appropriate authority to carry out its duties and establishing a charter-based citizen advisory committee on law enforcement oversight, making the county executive, in consultation with the county sheriff, the county's bargaining agent concerning civilian oversight of law enforcement; and appointing a committee to write the voters pamphlet statement for the November 3, 2015, special election.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. In a democratic society, effective civilian oversight of law enforcement is essential. To protect the fundamental freedoms of all citizens, police are granted the power to detain and use force against some individuals, but there is potential for that power to be abused. Civilian oversight is a safeguard against such abuse.
B. The creation and maintenance of an independent civilian office of law enforcement oversight is a crucial means of assuring integrity, transparency and accountability in law enforcement and of fostering community trust in, and respect and support for, the King County sheriff and the department of public safety.
C. By its independent and objective review, a civilian office of law enforcement oversight serves not only to identify police misconduct when it has occurred, but also to reassure citizens and maintain the positive reputations of law enforcement officers when allegations of misconduct are unfounded.
D. To be effective, an office of law enforcement oversight must, at a minimum, have authority to: investigate, review, and analyze conduct of law enforcement of...