OPA MEdiation program
Complainants are generally offered the option of mediation during the intake process; it is first and foremost the complainant's choice. Potential mediation cases must also be reviewed and approved by the OPA Director. If the officers also agree to participate, mediations are scheduled for a mutually agreeable time and place (including weekends and evenings).
Most complainants report mediation to be a satisfying process and would recommend it to others.
WHAT IS A MEDIATION SESSION?
- An alternative to the traditional complaint and disciplinary process: should you select mediation as an alternative, your complaint will not be investigated further and will be resolved through the mediation program.
- A voluntary, confidential process where a professional mediator helps citizens and officers talk and listen to each other.
- A chance for officers to hear how their actions affected citizens and vice versa.
What a mediation session does not do:
- Make judgments about who is right or wrong. No evidence or witnesses are needed.
- Force parties to shake hands and make up.
THE BENEFITS OF MEDIATION
- Mediation allows officers and citizens to resolve complaints themselves, rather than depend on the judgment of others.
- Mediation is more satisfying than the regular complaint process. Nearly all those who have mediated say they would recommend it to others.
- Mediation can make a real difference in the understanding, attitude, and behavior of participants.
- Mediation can improve relationships between community members and police.
- Mediation is cost effective for taxpayers.
- To be fully heard and understood.
- To hear the officers' perspectives.
- To speak directly with the officer, rather than having the complaint decided by others.
- To give officers feedback.
- To prevent similar incidents.
- To regain their confidence in police services, and respect for officers.
- To be understood - officers can't always explain their actions in the field.
- To hear the citizens' perspectives.
- To speak directly with the citizen, rather than having the complaint decided by others.
- To improve relations with citizens and communities.
- To resolve the complaint outside of the disciplinary process.
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR
The mediator is a neutral third party trained and experienced in helping people talk through and resolve their differences in constructive ways. The OPA has contracted with some of the finest professional mediators in the Pacific Northwest to conduct citizen-police mediations.
The mediator will:
- Explain the process and ground rules and answer any questions.
- Listen to both sides of the story.
- Ask questions to clarify what happened and identify central issues.
- Help keep the discussion focused, productive and non-threatening.
- Not take sides, place blame, or pass judgment.
