Endorsements and editorials are made solely by the ownership of this newspaper. As is the case at most newspapers across the nation, The Spokesman-Review newsroom and its editors are not a part of this endorsement process. (Learn more.)

Editorial: Regain public’s trust by carefully picking police ombudsman

Wed., Aug. 26, 2015

The sudden deterioration of Spokane’s police oversight apparatus has been a profoundly disappointing development, so news that a search team has settled on three finalists for ombudsman is welcome.

The community is clamoring for the city to get back on track after a series of disruptions. First, the original ombudsman, Tim Burns, announced his departure in January. There was no succession plan. Then the ombudsman commission, staffed by five citizen volunteers, imploded, and three of the five members departed. The commission has also been without staff for several months.

Teams seeking a new ombudsman, and the commissioners, say it’s been a tough slog finding qualified candidates. Two new members were recently appointed to the commission, which gives it a quorum and the ability to interview the three ombudsman candidates, who were introduced on Monday.

The public has several opportunities this week to meet the candidates and ask questions, starting at 7 tonight in the Chase Gallery, just outside the City Council chambers. Three more community forums are set for Thursday.

As the candidates are evaluated, it’s important to remember what the public expects: independence, fair play and transparency.

All three candidates have backgrounds in law enforcement, but they cannot become an arm of the Spokane Police Department. If they’re here to be pals with police officers or find a comfortable spot to retire, they’re applying for the wrong job. They must be willing to be the public’s eyes and ears. They need to become comfortable with criticizing police practices when warranted. And they need to embrace the role of assessing police practices and reporting the shortcomings to the community.

They are not here to challenge the findings of the U.S. Justice Department, which delivered a frank assessment last December. They are not here to undermine the recommendations of the Use of Force Commission. The public expects the ombudsman to embrace that work and defend it.

If the search team feels it has had to lower standards to find candidates, it needs to start over. If one of these candidates fits the job description, then don’t hesitate to hire.

The community must regain the momentum of last year, when the city hammered out a system that allowed for independent investigations while staying within state labor laws.

It hasn’t been an easy process, but the gains have been worth it. After Otto Zehm died in police custody in 2006, the entire law enforcement apparatus was shaken up. New leaders have been placed at the Police Department, and the city and county attorneys’ offices. New political leaders have embraced reform.

But even with all that support, police oversight was allowed to grind to a halt. Public trust eroded.

That can’t happen again, and the first step to regaining trust is hiring a credible ombudsman.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.