TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-556-2529 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Captain Tim Gately |
425-556-2615 |
TITLE:
title
Approve Interlocal Agreement to Provide Law Enforcement Mutual Aid for an Independent Force Investigation Team - King County (IFIT-KC)
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The proposed Interlocal Agreement (ILA) establishes an East King County Independent Force Investigation Team (IFIT-KC) to conduct independent investigations of police use of force resulting in death, substantial bodily harm or great bodily harm, in compliance with Washington State Initiative 940, “Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act” (LETSCA). Members of the IFIT include Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, University of Washington, and police departments from the cities of Bellevue, Clyde Hill, Duvall, Kirkland, Issaquah, Lake Forest Park, Medina, Mercer Island, Redmond, and Snoqualmie/North Bend.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Inititive-940 and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 139-11 and 12
• Required:
LETSCA requires that all police use of force that results in death, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm be investigated completely independent of the involved agency.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
This mutual aid agreement will provide a forum for independent investigations of police use of force by East King County police agencies; any participating member may request an independent investigation and no person employed by the agency which used the force may participate in the investigation. The agreement will last for one year and includes an automatic renewal on the last day of each year for an additional one year. Any party may withdraw from the agreement with thirty days written notice.
OUTCOMES:
The IFIT-KC will conduct investigations into police use of force in the same manner a criminal investigation is conducted. The IFIT-KC will consist of qualified and certified law enforcement investigators and at least two non-law enforcement Community Representatives from within the community where the use of force occurred. The IFIT-KC will operate independently of any involved agency's administrative investigation of a police use of force.
The City of Redmond Police Department will participate by providing detective staff and technical assistance, supervisory oversight, command oversight and use of equipment from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and other Divisions/Units as able to assist with the independent investigation of the police use of force in East King County.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
The City is currently seeking community members willing to participate in an IFIT-KC investigation of a police use of force in Redmond.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Redmond police have reached out to the community with a media release, posting on the City website, direct notification to community groups (such as the Community Equity Action Team), and via a community information forum.
• Feedback Summary:
Approximately twenty (20) participants were involved in the information forum and several have expressed interest in participating in the Independent Force Investigation Team as a Community Member to be involved in any investigation occurring in Redmond.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost: Current staff will be assigned as needed.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228 Criminal Justice
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
|
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
3/2/2021 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
This Interlocal Agreement takes effect once signed. The agreement will provide the Redmond Police Department the ability to participate as a member of the Independent Force Investigation Team - King County (IFIT-KC).
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If the agreement is not approved, the City would need to find an agency willing to conduct an independent investigation of a police use of force occurring in Redmond. Since the City would not be participating in a mutual aid agreement, the City might need to pay another agency for such an independent investigation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Independent Force Investigation Team - King County (IFIT-KC) Interlocal Agreement (ILA).