Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• 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

• City Council backs strong police oversight

  October 20, 2009 in City on Page A5 The Spokane City Council sent a message Monday to Mayor Mary Verner: Push for stronger independent oversight over police. In a unanimous decision, the council requested that Verner negotiate with … 11

• Verner foresees police cuts

  October 13, 2009 in City on Page A5 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner’s annual state of the city address Monday made a dire prediction about the likelihood of winning police concessions to prevent job losses next year. “We will … 5

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  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

• Police union likes ombudsman choice

  June 17, 2009 in News The president of the Spokane Police Guild said Wednesday he’s pleased with Mayor Mary Verner’s decision to name Tim Burns the city’s first police ombudsman. 1

• Spokane’s first police ombudsman selected

  June 16, 2009 A retired police officer now working as a neighborhood preservation advocate in California is Spokane Mayor Mary Verner’s choice to serve as the city’s first police ombudsman. 3

• Editorial: Ombudsman pick should come with explanation

  June 5, 2009 in Opinion on Page A15 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner will soon name the city’s first ombudsman for the Police Department. When she does, the public deserves a detailed explanation for why she chose one candidate … 3

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  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

• Spokane unveils top ombudsman candidates

  May 19, 2009 in City on Page A7 More than two years after former Mayor Dennis Hession announced support for a new job to oversee police actions, city leaders on Monday announced the top candidates to become Spokane’s … 3

• Police ombudsman search thins field to 9

  March 13, 2009 in City on Page A9 Times are tough out there. One hundred and twenty-eight people applied to be Spokane’s first police ombudsman.

• Ombudsman search starts

  February 11, 2009 in City on Page A5 The city of Spokane has begun the search for a police ombudsman, a position that got strong public support after several recent controversies, including the 2006 death of mentally disabled …

• City reaches deal with police guild about oversight

  April 10, 2008 in City on Page A1 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and the Spokane Police Guild have reached a tentative agreement on a new ombudsman’s office that would review citizen complaints but leave officer discipline to the …

• Center for Justice criticizes ombudsman plan

  March 19, 2008 The law firm representing the family of Otto Zehm is critical of Mayor Mary Verner’s suggestion that the city doesn’t need a full-time police ombudsman.

• Verner says city can’t afford full-time ombudsman

  March 10, 2008 in City on Page A1 Spokane can’t afford a full-time police ombudsman, says Mayor Mary Verner. Instead, Verner has proposed contracting for ombudsman services to keep costs lower.

• Police oversight a campaign issue

  August 5, 2007 in City on Page B1 In most elections, candidates for office in the city of Spokane face a basic question about police: Are there enough of them to do the job? Candidates might argue yes …

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  Consultant: Get rid of police review board

  April 24, 2007 in City on Page A1 Spokane’s all-volunteer Citizen’s Review Commission no longer has the trust of the public to monitor police misconduct and should be replaced by a full-time police ombudsman appointed by and answerable …

• New police oversight in works

  January 31, 2007 in City on Page B1 A new model for citizen oversight of police in Spokane is needed and on the way, Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick told an audience Tuesday night as they flooded her with …