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The City of Kenmore is seeking volunteers from the Kenmore community who would like to serve as non-law enforcement Community Representatives if an independent investigation becomes necessary to investigate the use of deadly force by a Kenmore Police officer. Although the Kenmore Police Department has never had a fatal use of force incident in the city’s 22 year history, Washington’s Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act requires that an independent investigation team (IIT) investigate any use of deadly force by a police officer when it results in death, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm. The City Manager will work with the King County Sheriff’s Office to appoint up to ten Community Representatives to a roster. If an independent investigation is required, individuals will be selected from the roster to serve on the IIT that meet background and conflict-of-interest requirements. The goal of the IIT is to enhance accountability and increase trust between law enforcement and the community.
An IIT would consist of a team of qualified and certified law enforcement investigators and at least two non-law enforcement Community Representatives from the roster. The IIT would operate independently of any involved agency to conduct the investigations, as required by State law, and would conduct the investigation in the same manner as a criminal investigation. The IIT would enable community members to assess whether the investigation process is conducted in a trustworthy manner while enhancing accountability. The non-law enforcement community representatives are a vital link between the IIT, the community, and the investigation.
Once state regulations are published in January 2021, Community Representatives, if a deadly use of force incident arises and if selected from the roster, will participate in the vetting, interviewing, and selection of IIT investigators; review conflict of interest statements; attend briefings for the involved agency’s chief or sheriff; have access to the completed investigation file; review all proposed media press releases; and review any notification of specialized equipment use. [WAC 139-12-030(2)(b)]
If you are interested in applying to be a Kenmore volunteer non-law enforcement Community Representative, please fill out and submit the application by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 to brandon.moen@kingcounty.gov.
Find out more about Kenmore Independent Investigation Team (IIT) Non-Law Enforcement Community Representatives.
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