Editorial: Probe needs independence, transparency

The community needs an independent review of City Hall handling of personnel matters involving former Spokane police Chief Frank Straub and former Police Department spokeswoman Monique Cotton.

It should occur as soon as possible, and the results should be as public as possible.

Early last week, Mayor David Condon designated retired U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan to investigate. Hogan has done similar work for the city in the past, but Condon should have known eyebrows would be raised because his own decisions will be among the matters examined.

Meanwhile, City Council President Ben Stuckart drew up a letter to the mayor in which he asked a series of questions. The entire council signed. If the mayor hadn’t answered in a satisfactory way, the council was going to open its own investigation.

Concurrent probes could have triggered a messy political duel, so we are pleased that Condon and Stuckart – via intermediaries – have agreed to an independent process that neither side will control.

In negotiations facilitated by outgoing City Councilman Mike Allen and Rick Romero, the city’s utilities director, both sides have agreed to a framework for a review. Two representatives from the executive branch and two from the legislative side will come together to select an investigator.

The U.S. attorney’s office and/or the attorney general’s office might be asked to provide the names of potential candidates.

The four representatives will also determine the scope of the investigation. It should focus on the matter at hand and not range too far afield. At the same time, it needs to be more than a review of the sexual harassment policy.

The concerns raised in the City Council letter set reasonable boundaries for an inquiry, and the mayor said Monday the questions raised are legitimate.

How long has the mayor known about Straub’s behavior as police chief? Are personnel matters for exempt employees treated differently? Is the city’s sexual harassment policy insufficient or problematic for those who feel abused? Consulting outside counsel should not be a first, or even a necessary step.

Were council members told the truth about these matters inside or outside executive session? What accounts for the long lag time between media requests for information and disclosure? Why wasn’t an investigation conducted into Straub’s behavior when his lieutenants and captains informed the mayor?

Some of the answers may be no different from what we’ve already heard, but it’s important to have an independent person corroborating claims and writing a narrative that all sides can trust.

While the four representatives have an oversight role, they should not try to control the narrative or squelch information.

With litigation pending (Straub has already filed a $4 million wrongful termination claim), it might be tempting to keep much of the review under wraps. The default position should be disclosure, because undue secrecy is what exacerbated the controversy and raised suspicions.

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