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Second meeting of the law and justice committee. My name is Ronda Lewis. I am the chair and I appreciate you being here today. I appreciate the large contingent from the Office of Law enforcement oversight as well. It's good to see you here this morning.

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On today's agenda we have three appointment confirmations for the community advisory committee for law enforcement oversight.

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We have the Office of Law Enforcement Oversights Annual Report, and then lastly we have a briefing

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from the Human and Civil Rights Commission on their annual report.

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And we will begin this morning by calling the roll.

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Clerk Williams, please call the roll.

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Thank you, Chair.

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Councillor Mervale Ducci.

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Councillor Mervale Bedone.

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Here.

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Councillor Mervale Dimbalski.

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Here.

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Councillor Mervale Mosquita.

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Chair Lewis.

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Okay. Moving on, vice chair, we're on. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the July 1-2026 meeting.

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I'm happy to do that. I'm not the vice chair of the committee, but I just want to make sure that I, I'll move for you.

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I move up rule of the minutes. I don't want to overtake somebody.

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All right, appreciate that. All right, all those in favor say aye.

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Yeah, we will turn.

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Is that an aye from councilmember DeBelsky?

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It was, sorry for the later.

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Thank you.

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And let's see, Council Member Mosqueta is signing it.

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Great.

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Well now turn to public comment.

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Clerk called around.

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Do we have anyone in person or on the line wishing to provide public comment?

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We do have one person in chambers.

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And nobody has raised their hand on Zoom, but I had two people on there.

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All right. Thank you. I'll review the rules for public comment just really quickly.

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Public comment must be related to items on today's meeting agenda.

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Cannot be used for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to office

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or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition.

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It also must not include a scene speech.

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If the speaker fails to abide by these restrictions, the speaker will be ruled out of order and the microphone will be turned off.

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You'll have two minutes to speak, and then you'll hear a timer at that point you may finish your thought.

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But please wrap up your comments. If you go past two minutes, you may be muted.

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We'll begin by calling on the person who has signed up to speak in person.

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That would be Alex Simmons.

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I'm President of the Dap America, one speaker about this little nice piggy Nazi piggy

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who here.

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For a dozen years, I may complain to you over last, like omitted doesn't complain and

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ever have one answer.

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You understand?

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Luxes.

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It's a new generation of Democrat Nazi piggy.

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Why?

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Because I complain to you three months ago, twice about superior

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your court, my Tory complain. Small claim cases complain to your court, Tory and not

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one accept, no one ever registered or dismissed without registration.

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Ma'am, I have this complaint not only here, I write to you twice, where is answer for this.

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Are you a shizafrenic? Who are you? You forgot about this? You have right?

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give me answer. So what is we talking about this Nazi piggy, you know, that is mean, even bosses don't respect constitutional law.

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Three months, I ask you for answer of my complaint. I bring you complaint, you accept my complaint, you know, that is mean in writing.

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Where is answer? Where is answer? So when you act in like a Nazi Gestapo piggy, you know, that is mean.

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So what is you talking about this new generation?

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Look, they face it.

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It's all Democrat and all stupid in all nuts.

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Democrat nuts.

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Yeah, exactly.

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This is how you're talking for many years.

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Viva Trump, Viva New American Revolution,

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stand up, slaving, happy cow.

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Chases, looks it, his face is dirty.

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Thank you very much.

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You too.

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Thank you, Mr. Zimmerman.

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Is there anyone else in chambers

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who was not able to sign up that would like to make a public comment?

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You're in no one.

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That's raise their hand online. On line. On line. Okay. Great. Well, we will move on. There's no one on line.

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We're seeing no further requests. We will close public comment.

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Moving on to our first item on the agenda. The first three items on the agenda are

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of appointments to the Community Advisory Committee for Law Enforcement

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Oversight, commonly known as CACLEO.

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I'm pleased to welcome these appointees before us today.

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We appreciate members of the public who stepped forward to serve on

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communities, your participation.

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Please an important advisory role in helping inform the work of

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King County Government and we are grateful for your time and

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commitment to public service.

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For each appointment, a pointy, rather, we will hear an introduction from Nick Bowman, Council

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Staff, and then we will have an opportunity to hear from each appointee and ask questions.

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Nick, please begin.

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Good morning, Council Members.

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For the record, Nick Bowman, Council Central Staff.

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As the chair mentioned, there are three at-large appointments to the CACLAO on the agenda

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day, which are items five, six, and seven.

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The materials for agenda item number five, begin on page eight of your packet.

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I'm going to start with just a very brief overview of the Advisory Committee and then

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introduce the first appointee.

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The Community Advisory Committee for Law Enforcement Oversight is an 11 member committee

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which supports the activities of the county's Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.

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Some of the committee's duties include serving as liaison between Olio and the communities

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it serves, advising Olio on law enforcement training policies and procedures, and advising

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KCSO and the Council on Matters of Equity and Social Justice related to law enforcement, as well

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as on problems and opportunities for improvement in KCSO practices.

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All right, so agenda item number five is proposed motion 2026-01700, and this would confirm

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the Executive's appointment of Daniel Santon who resides in Council District 7 for a term

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inspiring on March 31st, 2027.

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According to his application materials, Mr. Sanson is a King County Metro employee who previously

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served on the sound transit citizens oversight panel and has a passion for improving the

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community's relationship with law enforcement.

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Now, staff have not identified any issues with proposed appointment, and that concludes my remarks.

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Thank you, Nick.

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Mr. Sanson, would you like to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about why you'd like

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on the committee.

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Hello, council members.

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Again, my name is Dan Santon.

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It's just a little different from the blur with the bottom.

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I worked for King County Metro, and there was a call

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in the Asian American Native Hawaii,

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Pacific Islander, and played resource group

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for volunteers to this particular committee.

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And my son is attending the University of Washington,

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and was interested in becoming a police officer.

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And so I figured that it would align with my interest as a father to understand where my sons

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intrus are and learn a little bit more about policing and give my time to help improve

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the relationship between the police and the community.

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I was born in Japan and the relationship between the police and the Japanese population is very

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than the United States would like to present that gap a little bit.

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Great. Well, that's great motivation for signing up, getting to know more about your son and his interests.

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Colleagues, do we have any questions for Mr. Santon?

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My colleagues online. Do you have any questions?

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All right. Then may I have a motion to approve.

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Proposed motion 2026-0170.

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Chair, I move that we give a due-past recommendation to propose motion 2026-01070.

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Clerk Williams, will you please call the roll?

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Thank you, Chair. Council Member Valducci. Council Member Valducci.

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Council Member Valducci. Council Member Valducci. Council Member Valducci.

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Council Member Valducci. Council Member Valducci. Council Member Valducci.

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I, Chair Lewis. I, but as four eyes, zero nose with Council Member Valducci excused.

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Thank you. By our vote, we have approved proposed motion 2026.

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2026-017O with a due pass recommendation.

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If there are no concerns, we will place this on the consent agenda for the next appropriate

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full count.

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Council meeting. And that would be the meeting of September 15th, Mr. Santon, you do not need to attend the meeting, but you're welcome to do so.

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Thank you for your interest in serving, appreciate it.

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Okay, our next item is a motion confirming the appointment of Kyle Jones to the CACLEO.

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Nick, would you please introduce Mr. Jones?

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Absolutely. The materials for agenda item number six can be found on page 16 of your packet.

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proposed motion, 2026-0183 would confirm the executive's appointment of Kyle Jones, who resides

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in Council of District 2, for a term to expire on March 31st, 2028. According to his application

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materials, Mr. Jones is the director of programs that look to justice, a nonprofit organization

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that provides civic education to system-impact communities so they are able to participate

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in the legislative process. Again, staff have not identified any issues with proposed appointment,

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that concludes my remarks.

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Thank you.

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I'm always proud when D2 members of the constituents step up to serve.

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I appreciate your service, Mr. Jones.

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Would you like to make a statement?

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Yeah, I'll just say, hello.

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And thank you for your time in your consideration.

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As was mentioned, my name's KJ.

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I'm actually now a deputy director.

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I look to just this.

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I just got a permission.

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And yeah, I would just say I worked apple for eight and a half years

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as a genius. I played a role there and unionizing the stores in Washington and Oregon actually

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started a union campaign with both states, you know, shared information on unionizing

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and the importance of, you know, workers standing up for what's right, and what they deserve,

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and just bridging that gap between business and the worker right, and I think in community,

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we have the same issues, a lot of times there's disconnect between government and community,

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And so I'm just looking forward to being able to be someone who can help bridge that gap.

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Thank you.

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We have any questions for Mr. Jones.

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Colleagues online, any questions?

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I don't see any hands.

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All right.

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Then we will move on to the motion confirming the appointment of Kyle Jones to the CACLEO.

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May I have a motion to move the proposed motion?

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Sure, Chair, I move that we give a due pass recommendation to proposed motion 2026-0183.

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Clerk, would you please call the roll.

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Thank you, Chair. Council member Belducci. Council member Betton.

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Council member Dimbowski.

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Council member Muskita.

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I, Chair Lewis.

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I vote as four eyes zero nose with Council member Belducci excused.

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Thank you.

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By our vote, we've approved proposed motion 2026-01-83 with a do-pass recommendation, and again,

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if there are no concerns, we will place this item on the consent agenda for the September 15th

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Council meeting. Mr. Jones, thank you for your interest in serving. You do not need to attend that meeting,

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but you're welcome to do so if you choose. So congratulations and congratulations on your appointment.

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I mean on your promotion.

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Thank you, thank you all.

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Okay.

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Our final CACLEO confirmation for today is Samuel Hawkins.

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Nick, would you please introduce Mr. Hawkins?

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agenda item number seven and the materials can be found on page 24 of your packet.

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Proposed motion 2026-0186 would confirm the executive

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appointments of Samuel Hawkins, who resides in Council District 5, for a term to expire on March

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31, 2028.

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According to his application materials, Mr. Hawkins is currently a volunteer for a non-profit

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organization, filthy rags outreach, assisting with young men who are just a system involved

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and helping individuals as they transition from the Department of Corrections back into the

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community.

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Staff has not identified any issues with proposed appointment, and that concludes my remarks.

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Thank you. We do have Mr. Hawkins in chambers this morning. Mr. Hawkins, if you'd like

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to come up front and make some remarks, we'd appreciate that.

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Mr. Hawkins explained to

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me this morning. He's been pretty patient with this appointment process and we appreciate

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that as well.

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Good morning. My name is Senator Hawkins and my reason for

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The second appointment is to better communicate

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Transitions with youth and law enforcement as they transition back into the community, as well as the

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adult, subwork with adults as well. And I'm just looking forward to trying to build something

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that will precipitate change and a better understanding of between both communities.

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Great, thank you for that. Any questions for Mr Hawkins?

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Not so much a question, but just gratitude to you and to the other people who've decided

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to put forth their names and be patient with us in our appointment process and grateful

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for your willingness to serve the community in this role.

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So thank you.

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Any of my other colleagues, questions or comments?

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Again, Mr. Hawkins, we do appreciate so much, Stuart, work that you've done in community

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and the work that you continue to do and then look forward to your serving on CACLEO.

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So, at this point, may I have a motion to move proposed motion 2026-0186?

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Chair, I move that we give a due pass recommendation to proposed motion 2026-0186.

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Thank you.

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Clerk Williams, will you please call the roll?

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Thank you, Chair. Council member Belducci. Council member Budon.

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Aye. Council member Dumbowski.

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Aye. Council member Mosceda.

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Aye. Chair Lewis.

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But as four eyes, zero knows with Councilor Valdeux, you excused.

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Thank you.

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By our vote, we have approved proposed motion 2026-0186 with a do-pass recommendation.

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Mr. De Hawkins, as you heard me say to the others, this item will be placed on the September 15th Council meeting.

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You don't need to attend the meeting, but you're welcome too if you'd like to be present.

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Congratulations. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your patience and hanging in there, and serving in the meantime, while you waited to be appointed. Thank you.

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Thank you so much.

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Thank you.

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All right.

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Our next agenda item is a report from the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.

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It's their annual report from 2025.

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The work of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight is very important in providing civilian

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oversight to help ensure county law enforcement is accountable and fair.

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So today we have the Director of Oligo here with us to provide the report.

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Council member?

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Did you mention if the previous item was on consent or not?

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I thought I did, but if I did not, I'll say that we will put that on consent for the September 15th meeting.

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Thank you.

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Director Abbasate, thank you for being here today, and please proceed when you're ready.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you, Chair Lewis, for inviting me to speak to the Law and Justice Committee today and to present

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The annual report was transmitted to the council in the beginning of June.

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I hope everyone has had a chance to peruse it.

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As usual, I highly recommend reading the report in its entirety.

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I have received feedback in the past that sometimes I got a little too far into the weeds

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when I give these presentations, so I'm going to keep it more high level today.

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But obviously, we'll gladly take any questions that you may have.

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And of course, the report is available on our website for any members of the public to look at as well.

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We will begin as usual by going over some data about investigations and allegations of misconduct by the King County Sheriff's Office or KCSO.

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Overall, the total number of complaints this year or in 2025 was down by 4% year over year and down by 6% compared to the 2021 to 2024 average.

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Compared to that timeframe, the number of complaints

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originating from within the sheriff's office

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have declined by 9%, while the number of complaints

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originating from the community have climbed 5%.

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Nearly half of all complaints were classified

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in the expedited category because preliminary evidence

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was conclusive.

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About a third of complaints was classified as formal

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investigations with serious policy allegations.

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Allegations coming from within KCSO.

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We're formally investigated, far more often than allegations coming from within the community, which were more often expedited, again, because preliminary evidence was conclusive.

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Olio certified 87 internal investigations, those are investigations that are conducted by KCS Olio internal investigations unit, while being monitored by Olio.

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and we only declined to certify one investigation.

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2025 was also the year,

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olio began officially conducting independent investigations

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and we completed 11 independent investigations in that year.

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29% of all KCSO deputies were subjects of one or more allegation,

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which is just slightly higher than the previous few years.

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That increase is almost entirely accounted for by deputies

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who received a single allegation from a community member.

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The percentage of deputies with three, four, or five allegations decreased notably,

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while the percentage with just one or two allegations has grown.

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The vast majority of all specific allegations fell into four categories.

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violations of directives, subpar performance,

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discuracy, and use of force.

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Two of those violations of directives and subpar performance

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are a little too general to be a value for us.

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So in 2026 we have started applying what we are calling descriptive allegations.

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Just as an aid to help folks understand what type of conduct we are talking about

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any specific case because something like violation of directives or subpar performance may not

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necessarily explain what the conduct that we're talking about is.

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Of the 614 total allegations investigated and closed in 2025, about a quarter ended with

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sustained findings, almost double the rate of the previous year.

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That includes investigations that resulted in performance related training, but no other

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forms of corrective actions, such as discipline, for example.

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That number rises to over two thirds sustained

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when looking at allegations originating from within the

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sheriff's office.

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The difference in that sustained rate is present even when

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taking into account allegations that are related to internal

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training needs or minor policy violations.

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For allegations originating from community members, about 14%

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of those were sustained, which is consistent with the numbers

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from last year.

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On the policy side, we are proud to have completed

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in 2025 our first community guided policy project.

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And since the publication of the annual report,

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we have also published one more,

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while another should be published next week.

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The first project was related to traffic enforcement.

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Our community partners identified traffic enforcement

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and road safety as a top concern.

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And we've published those recommendations last year.

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Olio and its community partners completed outreach

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with local communities, worked with Sheriff's Office

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personnel, researched best practices,

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and developed four recommendations.

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To develop a data-driven traffic safety strategy

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that prioritizes safety-related enforcement,

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traffic enforcement, to reform guidance

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for traffic stop procedures to improve data collection practices and to refrain from increasing

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automated traffic enforcement using cameras until a feasibility until on unless a feasibility

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and equity study is conducting to analyze and mitigate any privacy and equity concerns.

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And that process must include robust community engagement.

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In the last few weeks, we published

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a second community guide at Policy Project on responding to increased federal immigration enforcement.

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As immigration enforcement intensifies, intensifies nationwide, community members have been

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seeking additional resources and protections for immigrants in King County.

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Leveraging community input, Olio and its partners recommended that the sheriff's office strengthen

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current policy to be more responsive to community needs, expand community education and outreach,

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and promote understanding by clarifying the existing policy language.

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And a third project to be published next week,

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so beyond the look-offer, that will focus on crowd management

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and the use of the rapid deployment force within the sheriff's office.

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Our community engagement work is essential to our policy recommendations.

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all your spots.

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Policy recommendations are developed in direct collaboration and consultation with community members and community organizations.

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We prioritize equity and reflect community interests, legal standards, and law enforcement best practices in our recommendations.

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We now have seven formal partnerships with MOUs with various community-based organizations.

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They have put in dozens of hours of work, including providing a direct link to community members through surveys and listening sessions.

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We are so grateful to our community partners.

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Archive King County, Urban Family, looked at justice, Congolese integration network,

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People Power Washington, Transportation Choices Coalition, and East Side for all.

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And we are always looking for more partners.

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So if anyone is listening, please reach out to us.

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We also want to thank the members of CACLEO, both past, present, and those who will hopefully

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be appointed soon.

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You are right.

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We were all very patient with the appointment process, and we are really glad to see these

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appointments coming through, and we are really grateful to all the community members who are

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willing to put in the time and effort to help us build a better King County.

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Those are the main highlights of our report.

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And like I said, I highly encourage you and members of the public to read our report, which

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available on our website. This is my sixth and final annual report presentation to you. As you all

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know, I am leaving my position in just about a month, so I request your indulgence while I take

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a moment to say a couple of things about the office. Over the last five years, all you have

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made tremendous strides in delivering accountability to the residents of King County,

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though there remains much more to be done. We have double the size of the office and more than

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the number of investigations we handle.

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We have built an independent investigations program from the ground up.

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We created a many think tank in the office,

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dramatically increasing the number and scope of our policy recommendations.

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We have entered into strong partnerships with community organizations.

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We have staffed and strengthened CACLEO.

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We also worked tirelessly to develop internal policies and procedures

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that make the office able to function smoothly and with accountability.

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Operations work has often done behind the scenes and I want to acknowledge that tremendous

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strides that we have seen in that area as well.

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The last five years at Olio have seen the office blossom and I am so proud to be leaving Olio

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in the shape that it is in.

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And as much as I would love to take credit for all of that, the real credit belongs to the

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staff at Olio.

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I am amazed every day by their dedication to civilian oversight and their commitment to serving

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the people of King County.

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The job of the police account of a police accountability agency is not a fun one.

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If you do your job right, somebody is always mad at you, sometimes for real reasons, and sometimes

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for made up ones, and I am sure you are familiar with that dynamic as well in your positions.

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But I will tell you what has made this job worth it for me.

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it's people. I'm referring to the people of King County who deserve a strong, transparent and unbiased

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civilian system of oversight over law enforcement. And I am referring to the people who work at

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oil, many of whom are behind me today, who deserve your support and your courage. They are each

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one, a shining example of what it means to be a mission-driven public servant. I am not exaggerating

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when I say it has been the honor of my life to lead this group, to work with them, and to

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learn from them, day in and day out. So please allow me to acknowledge them by name,

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00:28:53,700 --> 00:29:01,540
Liz Dopp, Simmer Hans, Leah Hunter, Katie Kirchner, Megan Graft, Ryan McFail, Kate Miller,

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00:29:01,540 --> 00:29:05,800
Vania Nanda, Rick Powell, Jamie Ridgeway, Jamie Tugumberg,

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00:29:06,260 --> 00:29:08,480
Molly Webster, and Sophie Ziliak.

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You all are Oliot.

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You are what made Oliot the office it is today,

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and you will be what keeps Oliot in true service

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to our communities.

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And with that, I say to you goodbye for now,

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and I thank you sincerely for the opportunity

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you've given me to serve the people of King County.

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00:29:29,370 --> 00:29:31,410
Thank you, Director Abazade.

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You were very eloquent in calling out your staff, and I'll just say that the tone at

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00:29:37,910 --> 00:29:43,910
the top is very important, and you set the stage with your leadership for the kind

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00:29:43,910 --> 00:29:46,150
of performance that we've seen from Olio.

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Thank you for that.

393
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Thank you very much.

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Thank you.

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00:29:49,750 --> 00:29:53,610
So before we get into discussion, I'm going to ask for a motion, and then we can go back

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00:29:53,610 --> 00:29:59,790
our discussion. So may I have a motion to move proposed motion 2026.

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0144.

398
00:30:03,340 --> 00:30:04,120
Sure, so moved.

399
00:30:04,980 --> 00:30:05,560
Thank you.

400
00:30:05,820 --> 00:30:07,440
Okay, so now discussion.

401
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Colleagues.

402
00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:12,580
Happy to start us off.

403
00:30:12,740 --> 00:30:14,060
Director, I was able to thank you.

404
00:30:14,740 --> 00:30:23,400
I wanted to acknowledge, as you did, the opportunity that you had now to present your final report.

405
00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:27,860
And I just wanted to say that we're very grateful for your service to our community.

406
00:30:27,860 --> 00:30:32,180
and I think you have left Olio in a better place than you found it and that's important

407
00:30:32,180 --> 00:30:37,820
as a director and I want to say gratitude to all the all your staff that's here and a commitment

408
00:30:37,820 --> 00:30:43,340
from me. And I know my colleagues share this in terms of maintaining the independence of

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00:30:43,340 --> 00:30:48,960
Olio and strengthening our accountability mechanisms. So thank you for your service to all of

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00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:54,180
you and especially to you as the departed director. So thank you very much for that. Thank you so much.

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00:30:54,760 --> 00:31:01,280
I wanted to just ask turning more to the details of the report, you know, a couple things

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that I found notable. One is the reduction in the number of complaints, and you can think

413
00:31:07,940 --> 00:31:13,860
of, it's always tricky to look at that number and understand what may be behind it, right?

414
00:31:14,020 --> 00:31:18,740
Because on the one hand, you might say, okay, well, this is a good, a good news scenario

415
00:31:18,740 --> 00:31:24,400
because there's, you know, fewer incidents that are leading to somebody having to complain

416
00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:28,990
and that's a good sign. On the other hand, it could be because maybe people have,

417
00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:34,480
are not paying the attention or maybe they're not engaged. So, do we have any sense?

418
00:31:34,700 --> 00:31:39,780
And I also think of like the number of interactions that people are having, I know, in the past year,

419
00:31:40,340 --> 00:31:45,220
you know, which is obviously a positive thing, you know, our crime rate overall has gone down.

420
00:31:45,220 --> 00:31:46,580
So maybe there are fewer.

421
00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:50,080
Any thoughts about any trend lines that you could share

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00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:53,100
about what you see in that number in that reduction of complaints,

423
00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:54,820
which again, could be seen as a positive.

424
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I don't want to dispel that it may just be a reflection

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00:31:57,300 --> 00:32:01,940
of our law enforcement arm here at the county,

426
00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:05,920
the KCSO doing well, but just wanted to understand

427
00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:07,200
how we can think of that number.

428
00:32:09,690 --> 00:32:11,970
That is a million dollar question.

429
00:32:12,450 --> 00:32:14,810
That's always the question when you see reductions.

430
00:32:14,810 --> 00:32:21,550
I will say that the reductions that we've seen have been fairly consistent over the last few years.

431
00:32:21,950 --> 00:32:27,850
And so that tells me that it is not necessarily due to people feeling like they can't reach out.

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00:32:29,890 --> 00:32:39,170
So when we see that kind of consistent decrease, I think it probably means that we're doing things better and more effectively.

433
00:32:39,170 --> 00:32:47,490
I also think that taken in conjunction with the sustain rates, for example, where this year,

434
00:32:47,670 --> 00:32:49,950
the sustain rates jumped higher.

435
00:32:51,650 --> 00:33:02,170
It means that there is a focus on the actual violations and making sure that that deputies

436
00:33:02,170 --> 00:33:08,110
who may have engaged in positive violations are handled accordingly, and that things are

437
00:33:08,110 --> 00:33:13,510
done to address those things. So I think taking those two numbers in conjunction with one another

438
00:33:14,070 --> 00:33:22,330
to me presents a positive picture with the caveat that we don't really know. I think one of the

439
00:33:22,330 --> 00:33:28,570
things that the council is going to be looking at soon is the idea of improving data collection.

440
00:33:29,170 --> 00:33:34,550
I think that is something that is really important for us to be able to read more into those numbers.

441
00:33:34,550 --> 00:33:43,870
When we start collecting better data, about stops, about reasonable suspicion stops, about traffic stops, all that kind of stuff.

442
00:33:44,690 --> 00:33:56,810
We are going to be able to get a better idea of is the decline in complaints a positive thing or is it because people are losing trust in the system.

443
00:33:57,090 --> 00:34:03,410
I haven't seen indications that it is because people are no longer complaining.

444
00:34:07,350 --> 00:34:09,570
Thank you.

445
00:34:10,090 --> 00:34:12,910
Colleagues, Moscaidard and Vowsky.

446
00:34:13,190 --> 00:34:15,090
Any questions or comments?

447
00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:21,300
Councilmember Moscaidard.

448
00:34:26,330 --> 00:34:26,990
Thank you very much.

449
00:34:27,230 --> 00:34:34,330
First, let me add to the comments that my colleagues both council committee chair Lewis and Councilmember.

450
00:34:34,910 --> 00:34:36,050
But I don't have noted.

451
00:34:36,870 --> 00:34:43,310
You mentioned that the team, the incredible team behind me, which I think is a testament to your leadership that they are there today.

452
00:34:43,310 --> 00:34:58,890
You mentioned that they are shining examples of public servants, and I just want to call attention to how much your work and your presence and your thoughtful approach to this office is also a shining example of public service.

453
00:34:59,270 --> 00:34:59,970
So thank you.

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00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:10,280
We're being that public servant to the county because of your work and your honesty and your willingness to try to hold institutions accountable.

455
00:35:10,860 --> 00:35:19,160
I do think that King County is in a better place and I absolutely wish we had more time with you to continue to grow the strength that you've already brought to this office.

456
00:35:20,060 --> 00:35:24,860
I am so appreciative of your leadership and for continuing to speak truth to power.

457
00:35:24,860 --> 00:35:45,960
And I'm so thankful for the innovation that you brought to this office and to really be thoughtful about the engagement that you've had with law enforcement agencies, with community partners, with elected officials, with members of the public, their relationship and respect that I think you've earned from all of those stakeholders is palpable.

458
00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:52,020
And I know that when I had some questions about how the engagement went with King County Sheriff's Office,

459
00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:59,960
and inquired about those, there was only positive things to say about how the office and you as the director had engaged with the King County Sheriff's Office.

460
00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:06,160
Even if you're relying information that's hard to hear about changes that are desired or needed,

461
00:36:07,220 --> 00:36:14,340
there was always a thread of respect and appreciation for the role that you had in the way that you did it.

462
00:36:14,340 --> 00:36:16,400
So thank you for your time with us.

463
00:36:16,460 --> 00:36:19,040
I think it's unfortunately cut short prematurely,

464
00:36:19,220 --> 00:36:21,540
but I'm forever grateful for your service.

465
00:36:21,560 --> 00:36:25,380
And I'm hopeful that we will continue to build on the recommendations

466
00:36:25,380 --> 00:36:27,860
that you have offered, not just in this report,

467
00:36:28,120 --> 00:36:29,940
but in previous reports as well,

468
00:36:30,240 --> 00:36:33,120
that we know some of those recommendations are still outstanding.

469
00:36:34,280 --> 00:36:38,180
I also wanted to just build on some of the questions

470
00:36:38,180 --> 00:36:39,760
that my colleagues had.

471
00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:52,000
And wanted to ask about sort of the way in which you're seeing ICE officers engage with the King County Sheriff's Office.

472
00:36:52,020 --> 00:37:01,260
I guess wondering how the response to the federal immigration enforcement that you'd called out any reflections on specific room for growth in KCSO.

473
00:37:01,260 --> 00:37:10,200
We know across the country and here locally that the Sheriff's Office is not in a unique position to having

474
00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:17,880
ice officers call and try to, I think, inappropriately use our King County Sheriff's Office when they're feeling unsafe

475
00:37:17,880 --> 00:37:27,920
as even though there's lawfully protected activities like observing ice proceedings, KCSO and other local law enforcement.

476
00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:34,660
And I think are getting looped in to calls from ICE when they feel like they need protection.

477
00:37:35,360 --> 00:37:41,040
So anything that you hear of in that realm that you think is a prime example for improvements

478
00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:44,300
or policy recommendations that you want to elaborate on?

479
00:37:46,540 --> 00:37:48,880
Thank you for your kind words.

480
00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:50,820
First of all, Council Member Musquira,

481
00:37:52,920 --> 00:37:58,840
there is a timeline on the policy recommendations on

482
00:37:58,840 --> 00:38:05,080
federal immigration enforcement, and we are waiting right now for responses from the sheriff's office.

483
00:38:05,660 --> 00:38:11,740
I think once that happens, I think the plan is to have a full briefing on that here in this committee

484
00:38:12,220 --> 00:38:20,500
to discuss our recommendations in detail. I will say that we, just to be completely frank,

485
00:38:20,680 --> 00:38:27,840
we anticipate that one of our recommendations is going to be a hot button issue, which is the idea

486
00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:33,820
that some, and this is something that a few jurisdictions around the country are considering,

487
00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:40,220
which is whether there should be any intervention at all on the part of the King County

488
00:38:40,220 --> 00:38:45,740
Sheriff's Office, if they witness, for example, federal law enforcement engaging in, let's

489
00:38:45,740 --> 00:38:49,380
say, excessive force, and our recommendation specifically based on excessive force.

490
00:38:49,860 --> 00:38:57,080
What we heard time and again from community members is that they do not feel protected,

491
00:38:59,060 --> 00:39:06,480
If a person, if a civilian, is beating them up against the law, then that civilian will be stopped,

492
00:39:06,780 --> 00:39:13,020
but if someone, if a federal officer is exceeding the scope of their duties and engage

493
00:39:13,020 --> 00:39:16,000
in excessive force, then they do not trust that that will be stopped.

494
00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:19,880
And that is currently the guidance, is that no intervention at all.

495
00:39:19,880 --> 00:39:25,080
One of our recommendations is for the sheriff's office to

496
00:39:25,080 --> 00:39:28,580
in consultation, of course, with legal advisors and community members,

497
00:39:29,500 --> 00:39:33,920
to create a policy directing deputies to intervene in very limited circumstances

498
00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:36,620
when there is a use of excessive force.

499
00:39:36,800 --> 00:39:41,880
We anticipate that that's a hot topic issue, and it brings up a lot of

500
00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:47,520
legal issues that are somewhat novel because it's not something that has been really

501
00:39:47,520 --> 00:39:51,920
done before, but it is something that some jurisdictions are currently considering and we believe

502
00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:56,760
that King County can be on the front lines when it comes to that, just like those other

503
00:39:56,760 --> 00:39:59,960
jurisdictions are when it comes to protecting our immigrant community.

504
00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:13,020
And there will, like I said, hopefully, be a, not hopefully, I'm certain there will be a full briefing on this once, once the response from the sheriff's office is presented as well.

505
00:40:13,360 --> 00:40:19,140
And then we can have a further discussion in the committee when that happens, too.

506
00:40:19,140 --> 00:40:22,840
Not sure I'll be here for it, but it will, it will have.

507
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:25,960
And chair, just a follow-up.

508
00:40:26,620 --> 00:40:27,040
Go ahead.

509
00:40:27,740 --> 00:40:34,100
I think I appreciate the, you know, foreshadowing of the report that's coming.

510
00:40:34,300 --> 00:40:47,220
And I also think that there is an opportunity for us to remind members of the public and everybody who is a public servant as well.

511
00:40:47,220 --> 00:40:52,260
right there's lawfully protected observer roles that anybody can have and in fact

512
00:40:52,260 --> 00:40:57,600
Governor Ferguson encouraged the residents of Washington State to continue to be vigilant

513
00:40:57,600 --> 00:41:06,080
to film ice to make sure that when we see ice operating in our communities we hold them accountable

514
00:41:06,080 --> 00:41:11,020
by filming them obviously we don't want to put people in danger by any means but you can legally

515
00:41:11,020 --> 00:41:14,960
observe you can call out the fact that they're in neighborhoods you can use a horn

516
00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:21,720
and noise machines to let people know is that's what the community strategy and desire is.

517
00:41:22,220 --> 00:41:29,100
All of those things are legal and to the degree that a legal observer is using those techniques

518
00:41:29,100 --> 00:41:36,620
and tactics that should not trigger a ICE agent calling any officer to intervene in those situations.

519
00:41:37,080 --> 00:41:40,940
So I appreciate that foreshadowing of the report to come and just would encourage as well looking

520
00:41:40,940 --> 00:41:48,980
other jurisdictions that have helped to provide education and revamping of internal policies so

521
00:41:48,980 --> 00:41:56,320
that everybody knows what their legally observed protected, legally legal observers can do in

522
00:41:56,320 --> 00:42:02,600
their citizen roles so that they don't get in a position where ISIS, I think, you know, trying

523
00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:06,700
to ask a law enforcement officer to intervene when someone's just legally observed. So that's

524
00:42:06,700 --> 00:42:10,460
It's like different category than what you articulated,

525
00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:13,180
but I think it's an important one as well.

526
00:42:15,120 --> 00:42:20,320
And then my last question is really related to the,

527
00:42:20,320 --> 00:42:22,320
like the requirements to take action.

528
00:42:23,040 --> 00:42:25,460
In the packet on pages 41 and 42,

529
00:42:25,740 --> 00:42:29,720
it talks about how Olios policies or investigative recommendations

530
00:42:29,720 --> 00:42:33,680
are potentially considered and then acted on.

531
00:42:33,680 --> 00:42:52,800
We have seen in the report that KCSA was not necessarily required to take action on the recommendations that was a point of discussion that I had with folks which lend itself to the discussion I mentioned earlier where people really had positive things to say about the interaction and the professional relationship with the office itself.

532
00:42:52,800 --> 00:43:06,700
But there, there does seem to be a clear delineation between a recommendation versus, like a directive to include the policy outcomes.

533
00:43:07,160 --> 00:43:21,480
So are there other agencies that are similarly situated to you that receive recommendations, but don't have to act on it, for example, like does the auditor's office mean that an agency must implement a recommendation?

534
00:43:21,480 --> 00:43:28,060
or are those also recommendations and not a directive? How does it compare between similarly situated

535
00:43:28,060 --> 00:43:29,460
offices that are independent?

536
00:43:31,780 --> 00:43:35,800
I think generally speaking, yes, most of the time it is recommendations

537
00:43:35,800 --> 00:43:43,480
and there is no, and they're not directives. There is no way to force any agency to take the actions.

538
00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:55,200
What we have started doing, and what we have started doing is we now do a six months and 12 months kind of evaluation period.

539
00:43:56,000 --> 00:44:07,820
After we make recommendations, so that we can update the council and the public on which of our recommendations have been considered, which have been implemented, which have been rejected, which are pending, so that people have a better idea.

540
00:44:07,820 --> 00:44:14,480
But really, the power that we have is to bring it to light.

541
00:44:15,200 --> 00:44:18,480
I will say just to echo what you've said about the relationship.

542
00:44:20,280 --> 00:44:25,000
It is a two-way street with us in the sheriff's office.

543
00:44:25,640 --> 00:44:32,240
So just like we are respectful of their role and we make our recommendations.

544
00:44:32,580 --> 00:44:36,540
They are also respectful of our role and us making recommendations.

545
00:44:36,540 --> 00:44:41,480
Sometimes we disagree, sometimes recommendations are held up for other reasons.

546
00:44:41,920 --> 00:44:44,700
According to the sheriff's office, it could be something like money, it could be something

547
00:44:44,700 --> 00:44:46,620
like staffing, whatever the case is.

548
00:44:47,700 --> 00:44:52,660
So that is why we have we started the six months and 12 months implementation evaluation

549
00:44:52,660 --> 00:44:57,800
that we're going to be doing moving forward to let people know and let the council know which

550
00:44:57,800 --> 00:44:59,280
of our recommendations are being.

551
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:07,840
Followed and which aren't. And we are also working through processes with the sheriff's office right now to make sure

552
00:45:07,840 --> 00:45:12,880
that our communication is even better than it has been, and to make sure that things are being presented

553
00:45:12,880 --> 00:45:18,980
in a holistic way both to the council and to the public. But to answer that question again,

554
00:45:20,080 --> 00:45:28,160
it is generally speaking, I would say, most civilian oversight agencies do not have the ability to give

555
00:45:28,160 --> 00:45:31,880
directive to the law enforcement agency, they only present recommendations.

556
00:45:32,460 --> 00:45:35,260
And I believe that the Auditor's Office is the same.

557
00:45:35,440 --> 00:45:39,900
It's not necessarily that someone is required to take the action.

558
00:45:40,000 --> 00:45:44,400
They are required to respond to the recommendations of the Sheriff's Office, to the recommendation

559
00:45:44,400 --> 00:45:45,280
of the Auditor's Office.

560
00:45:45,560 --> 00:45:50,560
But they're not necessarily required to take the action, which is also why the Auditor also

561
00:45:50,560 --> 00:45:57,000
does follow up reports to indicate which of the recommendations have been accepted and which

562
00:45:57,000 --> 00:45:57,480
have not.

563
00:45:59,110 --> 00:46:05,030
Okay. And that was part of my question too. Do they do the agencies respond, even if

564
00:46:05,030 --> 00:46:10,790
they're not a policies that are adopted? It sounds like yes, to Olios, to Olios recommendation.

565
00:46:11,050 --> 00:46:16,230
There's a response whether or not it's adopted. That way, there's a full dialogue on the concept.

566
00:46:17,150 --> 00:46:20,790
Yes. And sometimes it takes a little bit longer than others because obviously they're very

567
00:46:20,790 --> 00:46:24,950
complicated matters and they have to run it through their policy people and all that stuff. So it

568
00:46:24,950 --> 00:46:30,950
some time, but generally speaking, you know, first we request an initial response from them that

569
00:46:30,950 --> 00:46:36,350
we publish at the same time as publishing our report so that people can see everything and then

570
00:46:36,350 --> 00:46:43,570
we also let folks know when we anticipate a more full or a deeper response. And then sometimes

571
00:46:43,570 --> 00:46:46,670
we will respond to their response. And so on.

572
00:46:50,820 --> 00:46:55,920
Thank you. So director, I was in keeping with the theme

573
00:46:55,920 --> 00:47:04,560
of recommendations. I have a couple of questions of the 12 recommendations that you mentioned

574
00:47:04,560 --> 00:47:10,840
in the report, what allegation group? Did they address, yes, did they address or attempt

575
00:47:10,840 --> 00:47:17,460
to remedy? And then of those 12, do you know yet how many have been partially implemented,

576
00:47:17,620 --> 00:47:20,860
fully implemented or rejected?

577
00:47:23,380 --> 00:47:46,140
I will answer that by telling you that you should be receiving in the next couple of days a kind of a guideline of all of our policy, all of our outstanding policy recommendations or really all of our policy recommendations period and going through them and saying what percentage of them were fully adopted partially adopted not adopting and pending.

578
00:47:46,140 --> 00:47:58,420
So, we will be sharing that with Council members in the next couple of days so that you have a complete understanding of each recommendation and what the status of it is right now.

579
00:47:59,000 --> 00:48:11,820
As far as allegation groups, we don't really, we don't really keep track of the recommendations in terms of in terms of allegation groups because they're not necessarily directly related to violations or investigations.

580
00:48:11,820 --> 00:48:17,000
Some of the recommendations are not necessarily related to specific allegations, but they are just

581
00:48:17,000 --> 00:48:21,540
recommendations for improvement or clarity or taking a different stance.

582
00:48:22,300 --> 00:48:24,660
And so we don't really group them that way.

583
00:48:25,180 --> 00:48:31,720
But I think the document that you're seeing in the next couple of days will be very informative in terms of answering those questions.

584
00:48:32,620 --> 00:48:34,020
Great. Thank you.

585
00:48:34,020 --> 00:48:51,540
And one more question and that's about the external allegations you mentioned that some of those are handled in an expedited way when preliminary evidence was deemed to be conclusive by the sheriff's office.

586
00:48:51,740 --> 00:48:56,380
So what is the standard that's used to evaluate conclusiveness?

587
00:48:57,700 --> 00:49:04,480
So, the classification of preliminary evidence as conclusive is first proposed by the Sheriff's Office.

588
00:49:06,000 --> 00:49:10,560
When they look at, that when they start an investigation, they first propose it.

589
00:49:10,560 --> 00:49:14,080
But we have to agree with them that the preliminary evidence is conclusive.

590
00:49:14,460 --> 00:49:24,280
And what that means is that there is clear and convincing evidence that whatever is being alleged either happened or didn't happen.

591
00:49:25,460 --> 00:49:35,700
Because sheriff's office deputies now a lot of them are wearing body-worn cameras that has made our job a lot easier in terms of identifying whether conduct has occurred or not.

592
00:49:36,520 --> 00:49:41,580
And preliminary evidence being conclusive does not necessarily mean that an allegation is not sustained.

593
00:49:41,960 --> 00:49:53,520
Sometimes the preliminary evidence is conclusive and so it will go straight to you know for example doing some kind of performance related training if there's no discipline involved if it's a minor violation things like that.

594
00:49:53,520 --> 00:49:59,960
It might go that route as well, but it is a process that occurs.

595
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:07,260
There's both within the sheriff's office and that oil separately where we have to agree whether there is clearing

596
00:50:07,260 --> 00:50:15,660
commencing evidence within what we see that shows us clearly what happened and so then there's no necessity for further

597
00:50:15,660 --> 00:50:29,980
investigation. So it's a way to kind of, and this is a category that we came up with together with the sheriff's office when we were

598
00:50:29,980 --> 00:50:36,860
And this was one of the ways to be able to make sure to handle all the complaints that we

599
00:50:36,860 --> 00:50:44,240
got, but do so in a fair manner that is fair to complainants and law enforcement officers

600
00:50:44,240 --> 00:50:44,800
as well.

601
00:50:45,580 --> 00:50:50,760
And it's been working really well with the aid of, I would say, bodymoorne cameras have made

602
00:50:50,760 --> 00:50:51,700
it a lot easier.

603
00:50:53,280 --> 00:50:53,440
Great.

604
00:50:53,560 --> 00:50:54,940
Thank you very much.

605
00:50:56,140 --> 00:50:59,660
Thank you. Sorry, I want to make sure that other folks got a chance to ask questions for

606
00:50:59,660 --> 00:51:00,400
I ask my next one.

607
00:51:02,500 --> 00:51:04,720
So, Director, I was saying one of the things that I also wanted

608
00:51:04,720 --> 00:51:11,700
to note on your report on, this is on page 19, where you talk about the number of

609
00:51:11,700 --> 00:51:17,320
allegations against individual officers and kind of how many or deputies and how many people

610
00:51:17,320 --> 00:51:22,380
and obviously, you know, important to note that like the majority of our deputies did not

611
00:51:22,380 --> 00:51:29,580
actually having the allegations against them and then it breaks down the numbers and so I think

612
00:51:29,580 --> 00:51:37,700
one of the questions that I have is with deputies that had, it's a small number that

613
00:51:37,700 --> 00:51:46,120
have six or more allegations in a calendar year. Do you all kind of, and I realized that like

614
00:51:46,120 --> 00:51:49,760
you're not necessarily involved in discipline part of this, but I'm just wondering if there's

615
00:51:49,760 --> 00:51:57,200
kind of tracking over time of like who those deputies might be and you know whether there's

616
00:51:57,200 --> 00:52:01,340
kind of patterns year over year. Like you're seeing like there's a little bit of a pattern

617
00:52:01,340 --> 00:52:07,280
here and that there's like a high number of allegations against in this case three there are

618
00:52:07,280 --> 00:52:11,840
two last year. I'm just trying to understand like whether that's something that you all look at at

619
00:52:11,840 --> 00:52:16,320
sort of the the pattern and I realized that there's complicated issues around the collected

620
00:52:16,320 --> 00:52:21,380
arguments and in terms of the discipline, but is that something that you all engage with

621
00:52:21,380 --> 00:52:21,820
KCS?

622
00:52:22,120 --> 00:52:27,640
So, not just the individual, but when you start seeing sort of those patterns of how that

623
00:52:27,640 --> 00:52:28,240
gets resolved.

624
00:52:28,500 --> 00:52:32,460
I imagine for the community, I think it's an important thing for us to consider, too.

625
00:52:33,060 --> 00:52:33,320
Absolutely.

626
00:52:34,560 --> 00:52:40,320
And when we were working on the annual report for this year, part of what we were looking

627
00:52:40,320 --> 00:52:43,060
for, that is something that we were specifically looking for.

628
00:52:43,060 --> 00:52:50,240
whether the deputies who have a high number of allegations this year are the same deputies

629
00:52:50,240 --> 00:52:53,300
who have had the high number of allegations in the years previous.

630
00:52:54,220 --> 00:53:01,020
And when we used their unique identifiers to kind of figure that out, there was not a very,

631
00:53:01,040 --> 00:53:03,140
there was not a strong trend that we noticed.

632
00:53:04,640 --> 00:53:13,040
And so the trend is still that there is a small number that is responsible for this proportion

633
00:53:13,040 --> 00:53:15,020
number of allegations,

634
00:53:17,120 --> 00:53:22,400
but there is not, we did not see that, we did not see a trend about

635
00:53:22,400 --> 00:53:28,980
specific activities, for example. We did look for it, if we had found it, of course, we,

636
00:53:28,980 --> 00:53:33,760
you know, we would have had to figure out how to communicate that without running a file of any

637
00:53:33,760 --> 00:53:41,180
collective bargaining agreement conditions. But yeah, we did not, we did not necessarily find that

638
00:53:42,300 --> 00:53:48,060
I appreciate that you're looking at it, somewhat reassuring that you're not seeing that pattern,

639
00:53:48,220 --> 00:53:53,520
because I think that would cost them concern, but I appreciate that you're Alice's ghost and death like that.

640
00:53:53,680 --> 00:53:54,120
So thank you.

641
00:53:54,380 --> 00:53:55,080
Thank you.

642
00:53:57,530 --> 00:53:58,410
Are there questions?

643
00:54:00,250 --> 00:54:00,730
Comments?

644
00:54:04,830 --> 00:54:13,890
Well, we do have a motion before us to approve proposed motion 2026-0144 with the due pass recommendation.

645
00:54:15,130 --> 00:54:17,690
Clerk Williams would you please call the roll.

646
00:54:18,350 --> 00:54:18,850
Thank you, Chair.

647
00:54:19,290 --> 00:54:19,930
Councillor Merval Ducci.

648
00:54:20,590 --> 00:54:21,110
Councillor Merval Batone.

649
00:54:21,530 --> 00:54:21,870
Aye.

650
00:54:21,870 --> 00:54:22,550
Councillor Merval D Carolina.

651
00:54:22,910 --> 00:54:23,550
Aye.

652
00:54:23,890 --> 00:54:24,630
Councillor Merval Mosquito.

653
00:54:26,390 --> 00:54:26,950
Chair Lewis.

654
00:54:27,970 --> 00:54:28,510
What is 4?

655
00:54:28,730 --> 00:54:31,470
Is 0-nosed with Councillor Merval Ducci excused?

656
00:54:32,110 --> 00:54:33,230
Thank you.

657
00:54:33,810 --> 00:54:40,870
By our vote, we have approved proposed motion 2026-0144, with the due pass recommendations.

658
00:54:40,870 --> 00:54:51,570
If there are no concerns from my colleagues, we will place this item on the consent agenda for the September 15th Council meeting.

659
00:54:52,170 --> 00:54:59,950
I'll close by saying Director Abazade, we appreciate your work so much and thank you for leaving the office.

660
00:55:00,000 --> 00:55:05,300
Members of law enforcement oversight in better shape than you found it. Thank you.

661
00:55:05,320 --> 00:55:08,320
Thank you so much for your loss. Thank you, council members. Thank you.

662
00:55:14,040 --> 00:55:25,710
Moving on to our final agenda item. It is another annual report and this time from the human and civil rights commission.

663
00:55:26,480 --> 00:55:35,420
The human and civil rights commission, as you know colleagues was formed last year, making today their first time providing an annual report to the law

664
00:55:35,420 --> 00:55:41,920
Justice Committee, we are grateful to have their executive committee members here today to present

665
00:55:41,920 --> 00:55:45,500
and to tell us about the important work that they are undertaking.

666
00:55:46,780 --> 00:55:53,200
This time I'd like to call on human and civil rights commission co-chair, Jennifer

667
00:55:53,200 --> 00:55:58,860
Carl's, to begin, and please start by introducing yourself and your other commissioners.

668
00:56:06,700 --> 00:56:10,880
Good morning, Chair Lewis, Vice Chair Jim Bowski, and members of the committee.

669
00:56:10,880 --> 00:56:21,960
Thank you for this opportunity to brief the law and justice committee on the Human and Silver Rights Commission's Annual Report, which we transmitted in April of this year.

670
00:56:22,860 --> 00:56:35,700
I am the HCRC co-chair, Jennifer Curls. I use her pronouns, and I'm joined today by my fellow executive committee members, who all pause here to allow them to introduce themselves.

671
00:56:35,700 --> 00:56:37,300
Good morning.

672
00:56:41,420 --> 00:56:42,060
Good morning.

673
00:56:42,060 --> 00:56:42,640
Good morning.

674
00:56:44,520 --> 00:56:45,420
Good morning.

675
00:56:45,500 --> 00:56:45,600
Good morning.

676
00:56:45,600 --> 00:56:46,560
My name is Daisy Wong.

677
00:56:46,840 --> 00:56:50,960
I am the co-chair of the commission and my pronouns are she heard.

678
00:56:54,380 --> 00:56:54,780
Good morning.

679
00:56:54,880 --> 00:56:56,740
My name is Allison Hastings.

680
00:56:56,740 --> 00:56:57,720
My pronouns are she.

681
00:56:58,420 --> 00:57:00,900
And I am the secretary of the commission.

682
00:57:04,570 --> 00:57:07,850
And I believe you'll see our presentation for you today as well.

683
00:57:08,830 --> 00:57:14,110
So as a reminder, today's briefing focuses on our inaugural annual report,

684
00:57:14,110 --> 00:57:19,590
which covers the period from September 2025 through March of 2026.

685
00:57:20,590 --> 00:57:26,590
The next reporting period will span the 12 months from March of 2026 to March of 2027,

686
00:57:27,310 --> 00:57:32,470
and will include the one-time reporting requirement associated with the changes to powers

687
00:57:32,470 --> 00:57:33,650
and duties recommendation.

688
00:57:35,050 --> 00:57:40,490
As you can see on the slide, much of the inaugural periods centered on establishing foundational

689
00:57:40,490 --> 00:57:46,030
structures for the commission. A major focus was developing our bylaws to bring clarity

690
00:57:46,030 --> 00:57:53,910
to the operations and support long-term sustainability. This work can occurred as the inaugural

691
00:57:53,910 --> 00:58:01,310
commission stepped into a period of transition following the November election. Throughout this

692
00:58:01,310 --> 00:58:07,350
period we have been diligent in refocusing our efforts to ensure alignment with our mission,

693
00:58:07,350 --> 00:58:11,190
while navigating these organizational changes.

694
00:58:12,650 --> 00:58:16,030
While the commission has experienced significant transitions,

695
00:58:17,250 --> 00:58:19,230
we have also made substantial progress.

696
00:58:19,710 --> 00:58:23,010
Progress we look forward to sharing a greater detail with you all

697
00:58:23,010 --> 00:58:24,290
in our next annual report.

698
00:58:28,800 --> 00:58:31,280
So continuing from that timeline that we just reviewed.

699
00:58:31,680 --> 00:58:35,340
I wanted to highlight a few of those foundational activities

700
00:58:37,220 --> 00:58:41,140
Translated into our key accomplishments for 2025.

701
00:58:42,480 --> 00:58:47,280
We began by successfully establishing the commission following the inaugural member

702
00:58:47,280 --> 00:58:49,700
appointments in the summer of 2025.

703
00:58:50,700 --> 00:58:56,700
The foundational steps at the stage for all of the work that followed that year.

704
00:58:57,420 --> 00:59:03,940
We launched our public facing work with our first official HCRC meeting in September of 2025,

705
00:59:03,940 --> 00:59:08,980
working the start of our community engagement and advisory responsibilities.

706
00:59:10,260 --> 00:59:16,160
As noted in the timeline, we formed our bylaws in the fall and completed the first draft

707
00:59:16,160 --> 00:59:18,480
of our governance bylaws by December.

708
00:59:19,100 --> 00:59:25,500
This was a major milestone that has helped create clarity, consistency, and long-term

709
00:59:25,500 --> 00:59:27,840
sustainability and how the commission operates.

710
00:59:27,840 --> 00:59:42,680
We also established collaboration with the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission through a December joint convening, which helped build an understanding of shared priorities and create an opportunity for connection.

711
00:59:44,500 --> 00:59:56,920
And throughout the year, commissioners were building foundational knowledge essential to our advisory role, learning about civil rights investigations, county processes, and the broader program structure.

712
00:59:57,560 --> 00:59:59,960
We close that our year by electing off.

713
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:15,100
Officers to support coordinated leadership. And altogether, these accomplishments reflect a year of building, grounding, and preparing the commission to move into more substantive advisory work.

714
01:00:15,540 --> 01:00:25,380
And I just want to say that we're very appreciative of the staff who have been supporting the commission and our work and our growth over this past year.

715
01:00:25,380 --> 01:00:28,620
So with that, I'll give the forward to my co-chair, Daisy.

716
01:00:29,640 --> 01:00:30,120
Thank you.

717
01:00:30,680 --> 01:00:34,340
So looking ahead, the goals we included in the annual report outline

718
01:00:34,340 --> 01:00:36,300
our long-term direction,

719
01:00:37,160 --> 01:00:38,800
strengthening community connections,

720
01:00:39,300 --> 01:00:40,580
reviewing the Civil Rights Program,

721
01:00:41,200 --> 01:00:42,860
assessing protected classes,

722
01:00:43,220 --> 01:00:46,900
and legal updates along with reviewing policies

723
01:00:46,900 --> 01:00:48,740
and enhancing partnership to support

724
01:00:48,740 --> 01:00:51,020
stronger civil rights outcomes.

725
01:00:51,020 --> 01:00:57,700
And as we've gained experience, we've also refined or focused based on lessons learned.

726
01:00:59,360 --> 01:01:05,480
In the commission experience commissioner turnover, vacancies, and shift and staff support

727
01:01:05,480 --> 01:01:13,880
following the election and county reorganization, these realities help clarify where immediate efforts need to be.

728
01:01:13,880 --> 01:01:20,760
And as a result, we have pivoted towards priorities, not reinforce or foundation, strengthening

729
01:01:20,760 --> 01:01:28,040
our infrastructure, developing structures, study sessions, and onboarding, filling vacancies

730
01:01:28,040 --> 01:01:33,300
and completing the first draft of the changes to the powers and duties report.

731
01:01:35,140 --> 01:01:40,300
These refined goals help ensure that as we move forward, we are grounded, coordinated, and

732
01:01:40,300 --> 01:01:42,400
set up for a long-term effectiveness.

733
01:01:45,780 --> 01:01:50,240
We've already begun implementing several of these priorities over the past few months.

734
01:01:50,440 --> 01:01:53,260
We've developed a structured study session curriculum.

735
01:01:54,280 --> 01:01:58,680
The civil rights team has put together an incredibly robust framework for us.

736
01:01:59,180 --> 01:02:03,620
The eight sessions that we've had so far have helped clarify our understanding of county

737
01:02:03,620 --> 01:02:04,340
functions.

738
01:02:05,000 --> 01:02:08,000
Civil rights processes and the current oversight landscape.

739
01:02:08,940 --> 01:02:13,540
We have an additional 10 sessions scheduled throughout this month and the early fall

740
01:02:13,540 --> 01:02:18,660
and we're planning and then person retreat this fall as well to support onboarding of new

741
01:02:18,660 --> 01:02:21,440
commissioners, team building, and collective learning.

742
01:02:22,980 --> 01:02:27,200
In September, we'll also conduct a mapping exercise to synthesize what we've learned

743
01:02:27,200 --> 01:02:32,420
so far and we will use this to shape how we approach the powers and duties report.

744
01:02:33,180 --> 01:02:35,100
That will inform our initial recommendations.

745
01:02:36,140 --> 01:02:41,440
And those might include things such as budget, staffing, and process considerations needed

746
01:02:41,440 --> 01:02:43,720
to support the Commission's long-term goals.

747
01:02:46,020 --> 01:02:49,100
And to close, we want to emphasize that this first year

748
01:02:49,100 --> 01:02:51,980
has been both foundational and instructive.

749
01:02:52,540 --> 01:02:54,480
We are building the structures, relationships,

750
01:02:54,900 --> 01:02:57,840
and internal clarity needed to support meaningful civil rights

751
01:02:57,840 --> 01:02:59,500
oversight in the years ahead.

752
01:03:00,360 --> 01:03:02,240
And despite the transitions and learning curves,

753
01:03:02,300 --> 01:03:04,720
the Commission remains committed to strengthening equity,

754
01:03:04,980 --> 01:03:08,180
accountability, and community partnership across King County.

755
01:03:08,940 --> 01:03:11,220
We're grateful for the long Justice Committee's ongoing

756
01:03:11,220 --> 01:03:16,840
supporting guidance and extremely grateful to the staff support that we've received and we look

757
01:03:16,840 --> 01:03:21,320
forward to continuing this work with you. And this point we're happy to answer any questions

758
01:03:21,320 --> 01:03:30,480
you may have. Thank you. Great. Thank you for that presentation. I am impressed with how much you've

759
01:03:30,480 --> 01:03:36,660
been able to accomplish and just what maybe 13 months or so. So that's really impressive and

760
01:03:36,660 --> 01:03:42,100
see the foundation that you've laid for future years with that. I will turn to colleagues for questions.

761
01:03:44,140 --> 01:03:44,580
Comments?

762
01:03:47,240 --> 01:03:50,820
Well, thank you. Well, first of all, I just want to say express our deep gratitude to

763
01:03:51,880 --> 01:03:57,780
all of you for serving in this role. I'm very excited, and I wanted to defer a little bit to

764
01:03:57,780 --> 01:04:04,040
I shared the mouse key just because he led the effort here to, I would say, revitalize the

765
01:04:04,040 --> 01:04:11,920
commission from prior iterations, I think the, you know, as the chair mentioned, you

766
01:04:11,920 --> 01:04:15,640
know, I appreciate all the work that's been done already in this relatively short period

767
01:04:15,640 --> 01:04:16,380
of time.

768
01:04:16,460 --> 01:04:21,280
I know that that was a lot of kind of foundational work and the substance slice I had.

769
01:04:22,040 --> 01:04:26,420
I will just, it's more of a, you've kind of answered a little bit the question that I had,

770
01:04:26,460 --> 01:04:30,060
which is like, you know, what, what supports do you need and it sounds like there's some

771
01:04:30,060 --> 01:04:33,460
work to actually kind of present that and we look forward to, I want to be sort of cautious

772
01:04:33,460 --> 01:04:38,000
in terms of where we can promise, in terms of particularly when it comes to the budget because

773
01:04:38,000 --> 01:04:40,240
of our constraints here, but especially in the general fund.

774
01:04:40,740 --> 01:04:47,100
But I do want to hear it, I guess I do want to open and say that one of the things that I think

775
01:04:47,100 --> 01:04:53,860
we discussed a lot when this commission was being discussed and this new iteration is ensuring that

776
01:04:53,860 --> 01:04:58,720
there's strong support. So I'm glad to hear in terms of the report about the fact that that

777
01:04:58,720 --> 01:04:59,960
coming from... from our...

778
01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:08,260
Executive branch colleagues and really want to make sure that you get what we, you know, that

779
01:05:08,260 --> 01:05:15,860
you get the support to make this effort successful. And also that we, you know, we want, you know,

780
01:05:16,060 --> 01:05:22,240
part of the reason that I think we wanted this to be a revitalized part of our county government

781
01:05:22,240 --> 01:05:29,300
is we want this kind of independent group that's telling us that the council and the county government

782
01:05:29,300 --> 01:05:34,460
more generally, how do we can improve in the area of civil and human rights, right?

783
01:05:34,900 --> 01:05:40,840
I often think that, especially if we are going to be living and working in a Dr. King's

784
01:05:40,840 --> 01:05:46,080
face, it's actually behind this thing right here, but I think that we need to be really

785
01:05:46,080 --> 01:05:51,560
particularly here at King County in a place that in a matter of time, to be living the values

786
01:05:51,560 --> 01:05:52,720
of human civil rights.

787
01:05:52,860 --> 01:05:57,380
And so I appreciate all the work that you're already undertaking and look forward to hearing

788
01:05:57,380 --> 01:06:01,020
your recommendations and how we can do better at the local level.

789
01:06:01,340 --> 01:06:02,400
So thank you.

790
01:06:05,900 --> 01:06:06,620
That's a member of the council.

791
01:06:06,640 --> 01:06:07,360
Thank you chair.

792
01:06:07,900 --> 01:06:11,940
I want to join my colleagues in expressing gratitude for the tremendous work you're doing

793
01:06:11,940 --> 01:06:14,460
to set this up for long-term sustainability.

794
01:06:16,040 --> 01:06:21,760
And just to maybe be a little more of a specific council member of our own question.

795
01:06:22,300 --> 01:06:26,140
Do you feel, do you have adequate staff support?

796
01:06:27,520 --> 01:06:33,880
One of the challenges with the prior version, the Civil Rights Commission, was there was

797
01:06:33,880 --> 01:06:39,560
a long time staffer, and then when she retired, kind of the staffing support kind of,

798
01:06:39,560 --> 01:06:44,520
I don't know if that evaporated, but yeah, it dissipated, and that led to some kind of

799
01:06:46,840 --> 01:06:52,560
anemic situation there, so we to follow up on customer bronze kind of inquiry there.

800
01:06:52,560 --> 01:06:54,480
How do you feel about the staff support?

801
01:06:54,740 --> 01:06:57,320
I'm not asking you whether you like the person who staff you.

802
01:06:57,520 --> 01:07:00,720
I'm saying, do you have enough help to get your job done?

803
01:07:04,910 --> 01:07:10,530
Well, I will say we have experienced some transitions in the staff support for this commission.

804
01:07:11,130 --> 01:07:14,390
Since we came together for that first meeting in September of 2025,

805
01:07:15,190 --> 01:07:20,410
each person that has supported us has been really incredible.

806
01:07:20,410 --> 01:07:29,370
So I would say we like them, we appreciate them and they have been really incredible in helping us to

807
01:07:29,370 --> 01:07:32,850
wrap our arms around the mission of this body of work.

808
01:07:33,150 --> 01:07:37,730
I do think we will continue to kind of explore what kind of resources and staffing support.

809
01:07:38,110 --> 01:07:44,450
This commission might need in order to be sustainable and effective and efficient for the county.

810
01:07:44,870 --> 01:07:50,390
And that's something we'll be focusing on a bit when we have this retreat in September and start thinking about

811
01:07:50,390 --> 01:07:54,750
What kind of recommendations we want to put into the powers and duties report?

812
01:07:55,350 --> 01:07:56,710
What if anyone wants to add anything?

813
01:07:58,370 --> 01:08:00,270
I would encourage you to don't be a stranger.

814
01:08:00,990 --> 01:08:06,770
We want to support you over here and we have a little bit of a say on budget and things like that.

815
01:08:06,890 --> 01:08:13,270
And I will acknowledge too we've had a change for the first time in about 16 years of executive administration and new people.

816
01:08:13,470 --> 01:08:16,690
And so that's probably led to some transitions I would suspect.

817
01:08:16,690 --> 01:08:28,030
The second area I wanted to ask you about, we were very deliberate in adding the human rights component to this commission, beyond the civil rights foundation.

818
01:08:29,770 --> 01:08:45,290
One in four residents of King County, we're not born here. We're facing an unprecedented assault on human in my view on human and civil rights in the county by our federal government, particularly with respect to immigrants and refugees.

819
01:08:46,070 --> 01:08:50,930
And while our powers to respond to that are somewhat constrained,

820
01:08:53,210 --> 01:08:55,190
I think bearing witness,

821
01:08:55,510 --> 01:08:59,050
we heard some testimony, we're not testimony, but we covered this a little bit on the

822
01:08:59,050 --> 01:09:05,670
oleal report, but bearing witness to what's going on and then raising a voice collectively

823
01:09:05,670 --> 01:09:12,290
and from an official body like yours, I think could add some value, I think folks here in

824
01:09:12,290 --> 01:09:23,150
county are desperate for our response. I feel sometimes we don't have the tools and the

825
01:09:23,150 --> 01:09:27,990
powers that we can do it, but I guess I would ask do you have, I know you're getting

826
01:09:27,990 --> 01:09:34,810
all set up, but do you have any plans or would you consider perhaps conducting some hearings

827
01:09:36,790 --> 01:09:42,010
to highlight what's going on here in King County with respect to these issues, perhaps

828
01:09:42,010 --> 01:09:57,690
issuing a statement, perhaps a joint statement with the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission of Support for our Immigrant and Refugee Residence here and a condemnation of the treatment of them by the federal government.

829
01:10:00,880 --> 01:10:03,800
Wondering if you've considered engaging in this area?

830
01:10:10,930 --> 01:10:20,870
I appreciate that question, and certainly that is something that we have heard from the public about.

831
01:10:21,750 --> 01:10:27,770
Already in some of the engagement that the Commission has experienced already addresses those issues.

832
01:10:27,770 --> 01:10:34,950
I would say that we will certainly bring that up with the full commission when we next

833
01:10:34,950 --> 01:10:42,830
meet and discuss that as an opportunity, I guess, for the commission and moving forward

834
01:10:42,830 --> 01:10:44,110
thinking in those regards.

835
01:10:48,020 --> 01:10:48,280
Okay.

836
01:10:48,600 --> 01:10:49,180
Well, thank you.

837
01:10:49,340 --> 01:10:54,270
And I would also say, you know, we've heard some testimony in recent weeks here in

838
01:10:54,270 --> 01:11:00,130
members, particularly around organizations and people that are keeping eye on the flights out

839
01:11:00,130 --> 01:11:00,870
of Boeing field.

840
01:11:01,030 --> 01:11:05,870
We've got a long history of litigation there and doing some things, but I would encourage

841
01:11:05,870 --> 01:11:12,830
you not to be shy about aiming your gaze at King County's operations and making recommendations

842
01:11:12,830 --> 01:11:14,910
about how we can be a better government.

843
01:11:15,030 --> 01:11:23,370
There's no one leader or a body or group that has all the answers and we are looking

844
01:11:23,370 --> 01:11:27,870
for help and we're looking for guidance and we're looking for suggestions and I know you got

845
01:11:27,870 --> 01:11:34,510
your hands full kind of getting set up but this is such a pressing issue right now that I think

846
01:11:34,510 --> 01:11:38,090
I'm asking for your work and help in this area.

847
01:11:43,310 --> 01:11:44,990
Other questions or comments?

848
01:11:50,160 --> 01:11:55,660
All right well thank you very much as I said the work that you've done so far has been impressive

849
01:11:55,660 --> 01:11:59,340
even though it's you know it's start up in foundational and we do look forward to hearing

850
01:11:59,340 --> 01:12:06,100
more from you as you get stronger in your group and as you move on with actual subject

851
01:12:06,100 --> 01:12:09,800
matter expertise and considerations.

852
01:12:10,240 --> 01:12:10,800
So thank you.

853
01:12:10,880 --> 01:12:11,780
Thank you so much.

854
01:12:12,300 --> 01:12:12,580
Thank you.

855
01:12:12,600 --> 01:12:13,340
Thank you.

856
01:12:15,710 --> 01:12:21,490
If there is nothing else to come before the committee, I want to thank everyone who participated

857
01:12:21,490 --> 01:12:26,930
in today's meeting and, oh, thank you.

858
01:12:27,450 --> 01:12:30,590
Clark, did we get all of the votes counted today?

859
01:12:30,590 --> 01:12:35,410
Council member Belducci was excused on all four items, but other than that we did.

860
01:12:35,730 --> 01:12:36,550
All right, thank you.

861
01:12:37,130 --> 01:12:39,950
So thank you.

862
01:12:41,170 --> 01:12:45,610
So if there's no other business to come before the committee, we are adjourned.