HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2020-12-07 Item 2B - Presentation - Police Chief Search Community Engagement EffortCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
CC: Mayor Ekberg
FROM: Rachel Bianchi, Deputy City Administrator
DATE: December 1, 2020
SUBJECT: What We Heard: Feedback from the Community Regarding the Permanent
Police Chief
ISSUE
City staff conducted a community engagement effort to hear directly from the community as to
what they are looking for in a permanent police chief.
DISCUSSION
Staff asked the following questions at each meeting:
• What are the three most important qualities or skills you would like to see in the
permanent Tukwila Chief of Police?
• What would you like to see the next Chief accomplish immediately? What would you like
that individual to accomplish in two to three years?
• What are the most important public safety needs in your neighborhood?
• What suggestions do you have for improving police services?
Staff facilitated the following meetings. While many other organizations and individuals were
invited to participate, below are the actual participants:
• Faith leaders — representatives of Abu Bakr, Riverton Park United Methodist Church,
Beit Hashofar Synagogue
• Nonprofit leaders — representatives of Global 2 Local, International Rescue Committee,
Tukwila Children's Foundation
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee — Seattle Chocolates, Sunrise Garden Suites,
Doubletree, Starfire Sports, Odin Brewery
• Business leaders — Sabey Corporation, Xalwo Coffee, Wig Properties, Westfield
Southcenter, Homewood Suites, Continental Mills, Spice Bridge/Food Innovation
Network
• Seattle Southside Chamber —meeting to be held after this writing
• Two Police Department listening sessions
• Community listening event — Saturday, November 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Teens for Tukwila
• Five Foster High School Civics Classes
• Showalter Middle School Class
• Equity and Social Justice Commission
• Community Oriented Policing Advisory Board
In addition, an online community survey was deployed for more than one month and made
available in Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali. The City received 50 responses. The survey
0.
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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asked the same questions as listed above. The following are the characteristics of who filled out
the survey; respondents were encouraged to click all that apply:
• Resident — 34
• Attends school in Tukwila — 5
• Business owner in Tukwila — 7
• Work in Tukwila — 20
• Frequent visitor — 15
While staff wishes to acknowledge the significant variety of feedback received during this effort,
below are the common themes voiced during the process:
• Community engagement is critical to the success of the permanent police chief; they
must be engaged, visible and invested in the community. The next chief must lead by
example and set expectations that officers will be visible in neighborhoods and
accessible to the community.
• The next chief must know, value, and advocate for the diverse community; they
should be interested in the many cultures that make up Tukwila and work to both ensure
that officers have some knowledge of the different cultures as well as develop the
department to better reflect the community it serves.
• Commitment to communication with the community, all levels of the department and
the broader City organization, focused articulating the mission and values of the police
department, ensuring that the feedback loop is closed with the community and clear on
why decisions are made.
• Key qualities needed in the permanent chief include honesty, integrity, transparency,
empathy, and fairness; build trust in the community and department.
• Know that many people of color and immigrants in the community are afraid of
police, concerned about personal safety and unjustified arrests; commit listening to
voices from all levels of the community and to a culture shift that builds bridges and
mitigates bias.
• Understand how under -resourced communities have limited opportunities; identify and
prevent how over policing can have a negative affect and work to increase
opportunities for residents where possible.
• A forward -thinking individual is needed, who is focused on implementing best practices
from around the country, who understands that policing must change, and will embrace
a culture shift that will achieve just and equitable outcomes for all in Tukwila.
• Someone who is committed to officers' mental and emotional health, as well as
willing to hold themselves and officers accountable to high standards.
• Focus on training, ensuring all officers are well -versed in de-escalation tools, anti -bias,
and the complexities around Initiative 940; provide officers with tools to handle
behavioral and mental health issues, including trained social workers to respond to
people in crisis.
• Property crimes are affecting all neighborhoods and communities in Tukwila. The
next chief must work with the community to address these crimes, as well as educate
residents and businesses on how such crimes can be prevented, as well as how policies
and practices outside of Tukwila limit how they can sometimes be addressed.
• Utilize infrastructure investments, including cutting edge technology, as well as
proven methods such as cameras and additional street lightings to reduce crime and
make the Tukwila community more safe.
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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Bring the department back to full staffing when revenues return to pre -pandemic levels
and create a pipeline system to anticipate vacancies, both commissioned and non-
commissioned.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff will use the information above to finalize the posting for the Chief of Police, as well as the
recruiting documents. Once qualified candidates are determined, interviews will be scheduled
with two panels that consist of representatives of the communities involved in the engagement
process (i.e. a non-profit representative, faith leader, business representative, etc.) as well as
City staff. Final candidates will be invited to participate in a community open house, likely virtual
due to the pandemic, with a moderated Q&A to allow the community to better get to know the
final candidates. Final interviews will be held by the Mayor, Council President and City
Administrator. The Mayor will appoint, for the Council's confirmation, in March of 2021.
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