Prop One, would mark a new era in police oversight in
Spokane, a measure that would amend the city's charter by establishing an
office of police ombudsman and a police ombudsman commission.
In the years since, Spokane has struggled to regain that
trust. Karl Thompson tried and convicted of using excessive force. Soon after
Mayor David Condon took office a settlement was reached between the city and
Otto Zehm's estate. Far before those two moments, Tim Burns was hired by the
city during former Mayor Mary Verner's administration as an ombudsman, but
ultimately his powers to investigate were limited.
Proposition One would change that.
"We've had mayors try to take the lead, we've had
councils try to take the lead on this, we've had other police guild members try
to take the lead. Everyone's had a say on this except for the citizen,"
Councilman Steve Salvatori said.
The special election gives voters that chance to change the
city charter and set the course for the ombudsman's role. It's an idea
supported by both the Center for Justice and Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub.
"We have this new alignment of the planets, where we
have this new police chief, a new mayor, we have a new council, we've put the
Otto Zehm settlement behind us, the Karl Thompson settlement behind us. We have
a police guild that is open to looking at this," Salvatori said.
In fact, it's hard to find vocal opposition; no one stepped
up to write the "No on Prop One" response in the voters guide.
The police guild has objected to increased oversight in the
past; on Monday a spokesman said the guild won't comment because of ongoing
contract negotiations.
Pass or fail, Salvatori said it's time for the citizens to
decide.
"Whatever they decide, I'm OK with that. But, we wanted
to give them the chance to speak instead of this side always having a
say," he said.