DRAFT REPORT OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE USE ... - Samuel Walker

Mr. Earl F. Martin
RE: REPORT TO USE OF FORCE COMMISSION
December 3, 2012
Page 2
where the items provided were not the current materials being used by SPD or an update was adopted
by the department during the course of the project without notice of any such revisions or adoptions
being provided. As discussed below in the section pertaining to policy concerns, there remains at
this time an issue as to a substantial policy update that was issued by the vendor providing policy
recommendations to SPD. That set of substantial recommendations has not yet been adopted.
Finally, with regard to materials transmitted for my review, I was provided the entire transcript of
the criminal prosecution of Spokane Police Department Officer Karl Thompson which included
thousands of pages of testimony. Ultimately, a decision was made by the client to not require review
of the entirety of the transcript in preparing this report.
MEETING WITH INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE
On June 27, 2012 I met with Spokane Police Department Interim Police Chief Scott Stephens
with regard to the evaluation of the Spokane Police Department use of force training and policies,
and the FTO program of the agency. My meeting with Interim Chief Stephens included a discussion
about staffing issues for the Spokane Police Department; an overall historical perspective with regard
to the Otto Zehm incident and the federal criminal prosecution of Spokane Police Officer Karl
Thompson; the formation of the Use of Force Commission and the Mayor's 100-day plan; and other
general areas of concern related to tasks for which I was retained.
Interim Chief Stephens' belief is that the Spokane Police Department is a professional agency
with a culture of respect for the community they serve. Interim Chief Stephens indicated that
Spokane Police Department staffing level at the time of our meeting was at approximately 277
officers with an authorized strength of 295. However, Interim Chief Stephens indicated that the
actual working force available at the time of our meeting was approximately 260 commissioned
officers as a result of the number of individuals that are off work as a result of work related injuries.
Current staffing was represented as including the following positions: two majors, three captains,
10 lieutenants and 34 sergeants for 16 patrol teams. Interim Chief Stephens described what he
characterized as a unique patrol shift program wherein officers work 10 hours and 40 minutes five
days on and five days off.
Interim Chief Stephens indicated that he does not believe that Spokane is a "problem police
department" and that while he is concerned with training, it is not as many believe a panacea that
solves all problems for police departments. His primary concern is staffing levels and service to the
community, which is a challenge nationwide given the current fiscal challenges facing communities,
including Spokane. Interim Chief Stephens indicated that the supervisory ranks are over extended
in their span of control and that in his experience supervisory numbers have a definite impact on use
of force issues. With that said, he does not believe that the ratio of force incidents to the number
of officer contacts is out of balance for Spokane Police Department.