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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

The mayor Spokane needs

A local media outlet (not the Spokesman) recently featured the views of the three mayoral candidates on the difficult issue of police accountability.

Disturbingly, one of the candidates, Shawn Poole, accused our ombudsman as “acting out of self-interest to justifying being on the city’s payroll” and stated that oversight should be left to the police chief. This view is out of step with the view of the more than 60 percent of Spokane voters who supported an amendment to the City Charter requiring independent police oversight and the outside review of the SPD that calls for more, not less, meaningful and independent oversight.

Spokane needs a mayor who will listen to the people and continue to develop an Office of Police Ombudsman with independence — not someone who will take us years backwards.

Rick Eichstaedt

Spokane

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