Saturday, September 27, 2014

Oversight Update: City Council Steps In

After considering, and rejecting, the second poorly thought out police oversight proposal from the City Manager and Police Chief (see ICP's summary here), Council formed its own ad-hoc committee, at last week's meeting, to get the ball rolling on a police committee that will discuss policing issues, promote police/community communication, and, in the words of one councilmember, serve as an "early warning system." The three members of the ad-hoc committee are Val Tollefson, David Ward, and Roger Townsend.

Many Islanders wrote to Council, in recent days, to stress the importance of an oversight entity that is independent of the police department and transparent in its operations. Thanks to their efforts, and Council's willingness to step up and address the issue, we're finally moving in the right direction.