Class Summary
The City of Spokane invites applicants for the position of
Deputy Police Omsbuds
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
Provide independent civilian oversight for Spokane Police Department (SPD) conduct-related matters. The Office of the Police Ombuds (OPO) exists to promote public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the members of SPD by providing an independent review of police actions, thoughtful policy recommendations, and ongoing community outreach. The Police Ombuds and any employee of the OPO must, at all times, be entirely independent. Any findings, recommendations, reports, and requests made by the OPO must reflect the independent views of the OPO.
POSITION PURPOSE
Act as assistant director and support the OPO’s mission by overseeing the operations of the department as well as assisting in providing quality investigations and making effective recommendations regarding policies and procedures.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Employee reports to the Police Ombuds. Has staff responsibilities for program planning and coordination. Assists in directing the activities of a department. May lead or provide work direction to office staff. Prioritizes and assigns work as well as conducts performance evaluations.
Examples Of Job Functions
The following responsibilities and requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify patterns and trends in citizen complaints
- Ensure compliance with confidentiality agreements
- Serve as the Police Ombuds in their absence
- Ensure investigations of complaints against police officers are accomplished in a timely, fair, and thorough manner
- Assist in the preparation of monthly reports presented jointly to the Commission, the Mayor, the Police Chief, and the Public Safety Committee regarding the activities of the OPO
- Manage use of force dashboards program
- Observe police training
- Oversee internship program
- Primarily responsible for the preparation of an annual report presented to the City Council
- Receive complaints from any complaining party, including citizens or employees of the Police Department. Conduct interviews with all necessary parties and investigate any matter necessary to fulfill the duties of the OPO in accordance with Spokane Municipal Code and applicable collective bargaining agreements
- Attend administrative interviews on complaints
- Review completed investigation files to determine if the investigation was timely, thorough, and objective
- Oversee mediation program
- Conduct a review of all information that is relevant to a complaint
- Assist in overseeing all aspects of the complaint process from preliminary investigations through complaint resolution and reporting ensuring compliance with established timelines
- Review all aspects of cases, prepare feedback and attend administrative review boards for use of force, collisions, and pursuits as a participating observer
- Primarily responsible for identifying cases for closing reports, briefing the Ombuds, reviewing investigations, conducting research, and writing closing reports
- A more detailed description of the Police Ombudsman position is available in Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) Section 04.32
Requirements
Knowledge of:
- Fiscal budgeting process
- Police oversight and accountability principals
- Police procedures, constitutional policing and applicable laws
- Principals of supervision, training, and performance feedback
Ability To
- Identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, co-workers, representatives of public and private agencies, and the general public
- Communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and interests in often difficult and stressful circumstances utilizing a high degree of tact and discretion
- Utilize the principles and practices of effective and persuasive communication to elicit information, negotiate problem resolution, influence and solicit cooperation, and seek and obtain support for various programs or policies
- Effectively lead and manage staff by developing and directing people
- Adapt to other duties as assigned and prioritize, organize, and plan work as needed to meet objectives
- Work independently with little to no supervision or support
Skill In
- Written and verbal communication
- Providing strategic and objective analysis in areas of uncertainty where conflict and differences of opinion may arise
- Navigating political environment in complex and often controversial environments
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for this position are defined in Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) Section 04.32.060. To serve as the Police Ombuds applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Legal, investigative, or prosecutorial experience within the five (5) years prior to appointment
- Recent or current familiarity with police procedures
- Demonstrated ability to review investigations to ensure they are thorough and unbiased;
- Successful completion of a criminal background investigation consistent with the requirements to become employed as a Spokane police officer
- Demonstrated ability to work with confidential information
- Record of community involvement
- Ability to build working relationships with and communicate effectively with diverse groups
- Established reputation for even-handedness in dealing with both complainants and the regulated parties and
- Be a resident of Spokane County or become a resident of Spokane County within six (6) months of the beginning of the appointment term and maintain such residency during the remainder of the term
Education
Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will include:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in a closely related field. A Juris Doctorate is preferred, but experience may be substituted for education.
Licenses And Certifications
- Valid driver's license or otherwise demonstrated ability to get to and from multiple work locations as required
Experience
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience and performing complex investigations or reviews.
- Five (5) years of experience in civilian oversight desired.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is conducted primarily in an office setting and may require frequent visits to external locations. It involves frequent attendance at meetings to include some irregular hours and potentially out-of-town travel. Incumbents in this classification are expected to communicate verbally, in person, via virtual meetings, and by telephone. A computer terminal is used and requires the use of repetitive arm and hand movements.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS
As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Deputy Police Ombuds is subject to the City’s Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, “it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.
EEO STATEMENT
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status.
Insurance Benefits
Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.
Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.
Medical
Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Group Health Cooperative or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium, and to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan selected.
Dental
Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee
and eligible dependents.
Vision
Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.
Life Insurance - Employee Only
Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $100,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.
Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)
Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $6,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.
AFLAC
Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.
Flexible Spending Account
The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. Employees can elect to contribute up to $2,550 per year for the Health Care FSA and $5,000 per year for the Dependent Care FSA.
LegalShield
Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited amount of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.
Pet Insurance
Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.
Voluntary Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.
Retirement Benefits
Spokane Employees' Retirement System
The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed employees whose positions are classified under the Civil Service Merit System. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred.
Deferred Compensation
Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by ICMA-RC allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis.
WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.
Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program
The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.
