Revamp ombudsman process

So Spokane has picked a new police ombudsman, but he can’t start right away as he’s Canadian and needs a U.S. work visa.

First of all, why are we looking outside the country for a qualified person to be the ombudsman? Certainly, if the search were conducted properly, there must be qualified people in the United States. Not that I don’t like Canadians, or think the person isn’t qualified because I do, and he seems to meet the requirements. Let’s just look closer to home. At least a U.S. citizen should be able to start the job earlier than 2016.

Secondly, it seems reasonable to confirm, before offering the job, that the person would be able to start immediately if that’s what is required.

Finally, this whole search for an ombudsman seems to have been handled clumsily and ineptly: We pick an individual who had personnel/personality issues in his last position, and now we pick a person who can’t even work here legally yet.

Let’s revamp the whole process and act professionally.

Laurie Anderson

Spokane