Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Amending Subsections 5.19(6) and (8) and creating Subsection 5.20(11) of the Madison General Ordinances to add public reporting requirements for the Office of the Independent Monitor and Police Civilian Oversight Board.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This ordinance revises several sections of the ordinances related to the work of the Office of the Independent Police Monitor (OIM) and the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB). The ordinance clarifies that the OIM, while independent in its responsibilities and authority to conduct investigations and make recommendations, is subject to City procedures and policies as are other City agencies. The ordinance also clarifies the OIM’s use of legal counsel and adds subjects to be addressed in the OIM’s quarterly reports and the PCOB’s annual report.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Subsection (6) entitled “Independence of the Monitor” of Section 5.19 entitled “Office of the Independent Police Monitor” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:
“(6) Independence of the Monitor.
(a) Independent from MPD. The OIM shall in all respects remain sufficiently independent from the MPD in order to prevent the OIM and the MPD from becoming so closely aligned that the OIM cannot effectively fulfill its duties. For example, at a minimum, the OIM shall not be physically located in the same office as MPD management, officers, or other personnel.
(b) Independent from City Staff and Officials. No City employee or official shall attempt to use their political or administrative position to unduly influence or undermine the independence of the Monitor or any employee of the OIM in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as set forth in this Ordinance.
(c) Administrative Structural and Legal Compliance. While the OIM shall maintain independence in carrying out its duties, including investigations, findings, and recommendations, the OIM shall operate within the administrative structure of the City of Madison for purposes including, but not limited to, hiring of staff other than the Independent Monitor, contracting, budgeting, use of technology, and procurement. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to alter the recruitment, appointment or confirmation process for the Independent Monitor as set forth in this section. The OIM shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws, city ordinances, and Administrative Procedure Memoranda (APMs).
(d) Legal Counsel. The Monitor may retain independent legal counsel to assist the OIM with investigations, oversight activities, and representation related to police oversight cases within the OIM’s jurisdiction pursuant to sub (7)(l). The Monitor may also assign outside counsel to complainants as provided in sub. (7)(b)(4). For all other legal matters involving the operations of the OIM as a City agency, including but not limited to compliance with public records laws, open meetings laws, employment matters, and general administrative functions, the OIM shall utilize the Office of the City Attorney.”
2. Section (8) entitled “Public Reporting” of Section 5.19 entitled “Office of the Independent Police Monitor” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:
“(8) Public Reporting. One of the key components of the OIM is its duty to develop and issue independent reports and recommendations to the Police Civilian Oversight Board, Mayor, Common Council, and community. Accordingly, the OIM is authorized to shall issue the following public reports.
(a) Annual Public Report. The OIM shall submit an Annual Public Report ("Annual Report") to the Mayor and Common Council for its consideration by March 15. At a minimum, the Annual Report shall:
1. Set forth the work of the OIM during the prior calendar year;
2. Identify trends regarding complaints, investigations, and discipline of MPD personnel, including, but without identifying specific persons, information regarding personnel who were the subject of multiple complaints, complainants who filed multiple complaints, and issues that were raised by multiple complaints;
3. Make recommendations regarding the sufficiency of investigations and the appropriateness of disciplinary actions, if any, and changes to policies, rules, and training;
4. Provide other pattern and practice analysis as needed; and
5. Assess the MPD's progress in complying with its own SOPs, governing laws, and lawful orders from the Mayor or Common Council, including compliance with or progress toward meeting any recommendations or directives emanating from the work of the Ad Hoc Committee to Review the MPD's Policies and Procedures and the OIR Report, to the extent they are adopted and approved by the Common Council, as well as the MPD's own stated goals and mission statement.
(b) Quarterly Public Reports. In addition to the Annual Public Report required under sub. (a), and for the purpose of providing regular, concise updates on the activities, performance, and progress of the OIM, the OIM shall submit quarterly public reports to the Mayor and to the Common Council for its consideration. The first quarterly report of each calendar year shall serve as the Annual Public Report required under sub. (a). The OIM shall submit three additional quarterly reports covering the remaining quarters of the calendar year. Each quarterly report shall, at minimum, include:
1. The number of complaints received, categorized by type and severity;
2. The number of cases opened, closed, and pending, including the total number of cases in backlog;
3. The average and median time for case resolution;
4. A summary of case outcomes, including findings issued and any recommendations for discipline;
5. The status of recommendations made by the OIM, including whether such recommendations have been implemented, are pending, or have been declined;
6. A summary of any policy recommendations issued during the reporting period; and
7. Staffing levels, vacancies, and any operational capacity constraints affecting the work of the OIM.
(b c) Ongoing Public Status Reports. In addition to submitting the annual report, the OIM shall maintain an ongoing status report, which shall be available to the public and which shall include, among other things, patterns relating to complaints and recommendations regarding the sufficiency of investigations, determinations as to whether department rules and policies have been violated, and the appropriateness of disciplinary sanctions, if any.
(c d) Additional Public Reports. The OIM, as determined within the discretion of the Monitor or as requested by the Board or the Executive Subcommittee of the Board, may publish additional public reports throughout the year about matters within the duties of the OIM.”
3. Subdivision (f) entitled “Annual Public Report” of Subsection (9) entitled “Powers and Duties” of Section 5.20 entitled “Police Civilian Oversight Board” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:
“(f) Annual Public Report. The Board shall furnish an Annual Public Report ("Annual Report") to the Mayor and Common Council regarding for its consideration no later than March 15 of each year. The report shall, at a minimum, summarize the Board's assessment of the work of the monitor's office including the timeliness, effectiveness and responsiveness of the OIM in carrying out its duties; the Board's activities during the preceding year including the number of Board and committee meetings and member attendance at meetings; the Board’s compliance with the training requirements set forth in sub. (4), including trainings provided, member participation and completion, and any identified gaps or needs for additional trainings; community engagement efforts and concerns expressed by community members; the Board's assessment of the MPD investigative and disciplinary processes; the Board’s annual evaluation of the Chief of Police, excluding any confidential personnel information, recommendations for ways that MPD can improve its relationships with the community; and recommendations for policy, budget or ordinance changes related to oversight, public safety, and police department policies, rules, hiring, training, and the complaint process.”