Pierce County Charter Amendment 54

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Statement For · Pierce County for Community Safety Oversight

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Committee: Kate Ginn, Kristy Gledhill, Lyle Quasim

Charter Amendment 54 establishes a Public Safety Ombuds Office (“Ombuds”) to provide impartial oversight of the Pierce County Sheriff Department. Independent, Thorough, and Transparent Oversight Today, complaints about the Sheriff Department are handled by multiple systems that are difficult to navigate. Requested information can take months, years, or not be provided at all. An Ombuds has the authority to investigate complaints, obtain records, subpoena witnesses, publish findings, and recommend corrective action. Ombuds Make Government More Effective Oversight strengthens accountability, transparency, and community trust. An Ombuds identifies recurring problems before they become costly crises for taxpayers. They help people resolve problems and recommend improvements in policies and practices. Accountable to the Community The Ombuds is selected by a public recruitment and nomination process, then confirmed by the County Council. A Community Advisory Committee ensures continuous public input. Vote yes for independent expertise, transparency, and accountability for the Pierce County Sheriff Department.

Rebuttal of argument against

Existing oversight is slow or nonexistent. Internal investigations are biased, record requests take over 10 months, OII only investigates fatalities, and the certifying board reports a 3-year backlog. The Sheriff is not required to be certified or have law enforcement experience. An Ombuds is a role, not a whole department. National data supports $22 in litigation cost savings for every $1 invested.

Statement Against · Pierce County Citizens for Accountable Public Safety

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Committee: Brian Sonntag, Bruce Dammeier, Paul Pastor

Use Existing Accountability Pierce County already has several ways to hold law enforcement accountable. The Sheriff’s Internal Affairs Unit investigates complaints. Independent teams review deadly-force incidents. Washington also has an Office of Independent Investigations and a Criminal Justice Training Commission that can investigate misconduct and suspend or revoke an officer’s certification. Don’t Change the Charter Charter Amendment 54 creates a permanent Public Safety Ombuds department with subpoena power, its own staff, and taxpayer-funded operations. The amendment requires funding and staff but leaves the budget, staffing level, and many important details to be decided later by ordinance. If more oversight is needed, the County can create it by ordinance–not by permanently changing the County Charter. Put Public Safety First Public safety resources should be focused on reducing crime, responding to emergencies, and supporting the deputies and corrections officers who protect our communities. Those priorities should come before creating another permanent government department. Protect Our Charter Vote No on Charter Amendment 54.

Rebuttal of argument for

Supporters ignore that Washington already created an independent agency to investigate law enforcement uses of deadly force–and it began operating in Pierce County just this May. Creating another unelected bureaucracy with subpoena powers, embedded in the County Charter, does not guarantee transparency or trust. It adds another layer of government instead of improving public safety. Real accountability comes from elected officials–not a permanent office with broad powers and no direct accountability to voters.