Council Delays Police Panel Decision

The Spokane City Council on Monday night delayed acting on a proposal to revamp the citizens panel that looks into complaints of police misconduct.

Councilman Joel Crosby said police unions still are reviewing the proposal.

Crosby headed up the committee charged with reorganizing the troubled Citizens Review Panel, which nearly collapsed last fall when members complained it wasn’t working.

Under the new proposal, the Citizens’ Review Commission would replace the old panel. It would be smaller - seven members instead of 11 - and consist of one retired judge or magistrate, one retired police officer and five Spokane residents.

Only complaints involving police misconduct would be forwarded to the commission. Members first would review a condensed complaint before deciding whether to have a hearing.

After a hearing, members could get access to an entire case file, but their review would be limited to the police department’s investigation.

A complaint deemed valid would be forwarded to the Public Safety Committee, which could send the complaint on to the full City Council.

Council members plan to consider the proposal March 27.