Section 809 - Office of the Independent Police Auditor

The Office of the Independent Police Auditor is hereby established. The Independent Police Auditor shall be appointed by the Council. Each such appointment shall be made as soon as such can reasonably be done after the expiration of the latest incumbent’s term of office. Each such appointment shall be for a term ending four (4) years from and after the date of expiration of the immediately preceding term; provided, that if a vacancy should occur in such office before the expiration of the former incumbent’s terms, the Council shall appoint a successor to serve only for the remainder of said former incumbent’s term.

The office of Independent Police Auditor shall become vacant upon the happening before the expiration of his or her term of any of the events set forth in subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (l) of Section 409 of this Charter. The Council, by resolution adopted by not less than ten (10) of its members may remove an incumbent from the office of the Independent Police Auditor, before the expiration of his or her term, for misconduct, inefficiency, incompetence, inability or failure to perform the duties of such office or negligence in the performance of such duties, provided it first states in writing the reasons for such removal and gives the incumbent an opportunity to be heard before the Council in his or her own defense; otherwise, the Council may not remove an incumbent from such office before the expiration of his or her term.

The Independent Police Auditor shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) Review Police Department investigations of complaints against police officers to determine if the investigation was complete, thorough, objective and fair.

(b) Make recommendations with regard to Police Department policies and procedures based on the Independent Police Auditor’s review of investigations of complaints against police officers.

(c) Conduct public outreach to educate the community on the role of the Independent Police Auditor and to assist the community with the process and procedures for investigation of complaints against police officers.

Added at election November 5, 1996

Section 809.1 - Independent Police Auditor - Power of Appointment

(a) The Independent Police Auditor may appoint and prescribe the duties of the professional and technical employees employed in the Office of the Independent Police Auditor. Such appointed professional and technical employees shall serve in unclassified positions at the pleasure of the Independent Police Auditor. The Council shall determine whether a particular employee is a "professional" or "technical" employee who may be appointed by the Independent Police Auditor pursuant to these Subsections.

(b) In addition, subject to the Civil Service provisions of this Charter and of any Civil Service Rules adopted pursuant thereto, the Independent Police Auditor shall appoint all clerical employees employed in the Office of the Independent Police Auditor, and when the Independent Police Auditor deems it necessary for the good of the service he or she may, subject to the above-mentioned limitations, suspend without pay, demote, discharge, remove or discipline any such employee whom he or she is empowered to appoint.

(c) Neither the Council nor any of its members nor the Mayor shall in any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any such officer or employee whom the Independent Police Auditor is empowered to appoint, but the Council may express its views and fully and freely discuss with the Independent Police Auditor anything pertaining to the appointment and removal of such officers and employees.

Added at election November 5, 1996