Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Bland recipe for oversight of police may be all we get

  November 10, 2012 in City on Page B1 Here’s where we stand, in terms of policing the police: One of the most hopeful signs about the latest proposal for true independent oversight is that it’s all bark and … 29

• SPD needs new tack to earn citizenry’s trust

  June 6, 2012 in City on Page A5 We’re in the “show me” phase of the city’s relationship with the police department. So it’s a problem that the interim chief seems to think we’re still in “trust us” … 16

• Complaint going to mayor

  June 5, 2012 in City on Page A5 A disagreement between the interim Spokane police chief and the police ombudsman about the handling of a recent complaint is getting the mayor’s attention. Ombudsman Tim Burns is asking Mayor … 77

• Body cameras considered for Spokane police officers

  January 27, 2012 in City on Page A1 Spokane’s elected leaders are ready to push for the use of body cameras on police officers to record their interactions with the public. The Spokane City Council on Feb. 6 … 64

• Shawn Vestal: Police oversight one thing, accountability another

  November 18, 2011 in City on Page A5 Good news from the Spokane Police Guild: Despite appearances to the contrary, they’re not actually opposed to independent oversight of misconduct complaints. I know. I was shocked, too. Somehow, I’d … 37

• Council limits police reviews

  October 11, 2011 in City on Page A1 Spokane’s police ombudsman on Monday lost the power to independently investigate misconduct allegations against the city’s law enforcement officers. The Spokane City Council voted 5-2 Monday to repeal police oversight … 18

• Council delays ombudsman vote

  September 29, 2011 in City on Page A7 The Spokane City Council isn’t giving up on stronger police oversight, at least not for two more weeks. The council voted 6-0 this week to delay a decision on whether … 1

• Spokane City Council hires lawyer to look into ombudsman law

  September 28, 2011 in City The Spokane City Council isn’t giving up on stronger police oversight, at least not for two more weeks. The council voted 6-0 this week to delay action on the possible … 22

• Editorial: Community demands ombudsman with clout

  August 28, 2011 in Opinion on Page B8 Spokane City Council members are pondering several options in response to an arbitrator’s July ruling that revoked new powers for the police ombudsman because the Spokane Police Guild had not … 2

• Council debates oversight rules

  August 23, 2011 in City on Page A1 Spokane City Council members suggested they may need voters to save the stronger police oversight rules they approved last year, by working to place the concept on the ballot. Passions … 82

• Shawn Vestal: Truth about Zehm sure took a while

  August 10, 2011 in City on Page A5 It took just five years, 20 weeks and a day. But finally we’re hearing the truth about Otto Zehm from Jim Nicks. 22

• Ombudsman powers ruling challenged

  July 28, 2011 in City on Page A6 The city should not have let an arbitrator decide whether it had the right to give extra authority to its police ombudsman, three Spokane citizens groups say. The decision should … 1

• Clark: Omdudsman is where Police Guild wants him

  July 14, 2011 in City on Page A5 An arbitrator decided this week to revoke the law that attempted to turn our Spokane police omdudsman into something more ominous than a pony in a petting zoo. Well, I … 13

• Police ombudsman rules downgraded

  July 13, 2011 in City on Page A1 An arbitrator this week revoked a law that strengthened Spokane’s police ombudsman powers because the city did not consult the Spokane Police Guild before it was approved last year. The … 26

• ACLU argues city denied rights

    September 23, 2010 in City on Page A5 The American Civil Liberties Union says the Spokane city attorney’s office violated the constitutional rights of a local attorney. In a letter to city officials last week, Michael Kipling, an … 8

• Council delays ombudsman decision

    June 22, 2010 in City The long debate over the power of Spokane’s new police ombudsman will last at least one more week. Early Tuesday morning, the Spokane City Council voted 6-1 to delay a … 3

• City Council delays vote on ombudsman request

    June 22, 2010 in City Spokane City Council President Joe Shogan announced just after midnight today that there would not be a vote during the session about providing the ombudsman the power to conduct independent … 6

• Spokane police ombudsman launches website

  June 11, 2010 in City Spokane’s Police Ombudsman has a new tool to make it easier for people to file complaints against officers. 7

• Union releases deal’s terms

  November 22, 2009 in City on Page B1 City Hall’s largest union will give up half of its promised 2010 pay raise to prevent layoffs, if the Spokane City Council signs off on a new agreement. Officials last … 5

• Spokane’s police ombudsman ready to listen, earn trust

  September 7, 2009 in City on Page A5 Spokane’s first police ombudsman, Tim Burns, started work late last month, nearly a year after the City Council created the position amid public outcry over police conduct. Burns, 55, moved … 5

• Spokane hires first police ombudsman

  June 29, 2009 in City After years of debate, Spokane on Monday hired its first independent police ombudsman. 2

• Protest outdraws ombudsman forum

  May 30, 2009 in City on Page A7 The warmest day of the year appeared to be enough to keep crowds from a Friday meet and greet with the three finalists vying to be Spokane’s first police ombudsman. … 6

• Few show up to meet ombudsman candidates

  May 29, 2009 in City The warmest day of year appeared to be enough to keep crowds from a Friday meet and greet with the three finalists vying to be Spokane’s first police ombudsman. Fewer … 9