1 00:00:01,501 --> 00:00:03,868 -Hello, I'm Seattle Channel host Brian Callanan. 2 00:00:03,868 --> 00:00:05,434 Over the past several months, 3 00:00:05,434 --> 00:00:07,467 Seattle's Community Police Commission 4 00:00:07,467 --> 00:00:09,434 has been engaged in a national search 5 00:00:09,434 --> 00:00:11,334 for their executive director. 6 00:00:11,334 --> 00:00:13,567 The Community Police Commission has identified 7 00:00:13,567 --> 00:00:16,267 three finalists -- Ashley Gordon Hanks, 8 00:00:16,267 --> 00:00:18,767 who recently served in a civil oversight role 9 00:00:18,767 --> 00:00:19,934 of deputy director, 10 00:00:19,934 --> 00:00:22,300 Professional Standards and Accountability, 11 00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:25,267 for the city of Henderson, Nevada, Police Department; 12 00:00:25,267 --> 00:00:27,701 Aeiramique Glass Blake, who served as chair 13 00:00:27,701 --> 00:00:30,200 of the Chief of Police Board of Advisors 14 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,400 and is currently a program manager analyst 15 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:36,133 for the Los Angeles County Office of Diversion and Reentry; 16 00:00:36,133 --> 00:00:38,133 Cali Ellis, who currently serves 17 00:00:38,133 --> 00:00:39,968 as the interim executive director 18 00:00:39,968 --> 00:00:41,868 of the Community Police Commission 19 00:00:41,868 --> 00:00:45,167 and who has been serving as the CPC policy director. 20 00:00:45,167 --> 00:00:47,567 The purpose of this Seattle Channel program 21 00:00:47,567 --> 00:00:49,934 is to provide the community with an opportunity 22 00:00:49,934 --> 00:00:52,067 to learn more about these candidates. 23 00:00:52,067 --> 00:00:55,234 This event is not part of the formal interview process, 24 00:00:55,234 --> 00:00:59,033 and participation in this event by the finalists is voluntary. 25 00:00:59,033 --> 00:01:01,300 I am pleased to be having conversations 26 00:01:01,300 --> 00:01:04,100 with Aeiramique Glass Blake and Cali Ellis. 27 00:01:04,100 --> 00:01:06,300 Unfortunately, Ashley Gordon Hanks 28 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:07,567 was not available. 29 00:01:07,567 --> 00:01:09,734 I will be asking each of the finalists 30 00:01:09,734 --> 00:01:12,067 six standard questions that were developed 31 00:01:12,067 --> 00:01:15,601 based with input from past public-safety-candidate forums, 32 00:01:15,601 --> 00:01:17,467 police accountability stakeholders, 33 00:01:17,467 --> 00:01:19,634 and CPC commissioners. 34 00:01:19,634 --> 00:01:21,367 To facilitate the conversation, 35 00:01:21,367 --> 00:01:24,434 I may ask a follow-up or clarifying question. 36 00:01:24,434 --> 00:01:26,033 We'll begin with Aeiramique Glass Blake. 37 00:01:26,033 --> 00:01:29,334 Aeiramique, thank you for joining us. 38 00:01:29,334 --> 00:01:30,934 -Thank you for having me. 39 00:01:30,934 --> 00:01:32,200 -And let's get right to it here. 40 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:34,100 The first question -- From your perspective, 41 00:01:34,100 --> 00:01:36,300 what is the central or core work 42 00:01:36,300 --> 00:01:38,000 of the Community Police Commission 43 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,567 within the city's established police accountability framework? 44 00:01:41,567 --> 00:01:43,000 As the executive director, 45 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,634 what part of this work interests you the most? 46 00:01:45,634 --> 00:01:48,000 -Thank you for the question. 47 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,901 So I truly believe the core part of this position 48 00:01:51,901 --> 00:01:57,434 as the executive director would be to ensure 49 00:01:57,434 --> 00:02:00,634 that the community voice is heard. 50 00:02:00,634 --> 00:02:03,901 I believe that the CPP's position and job 51 00:02:03,901 --> 00:02:05,567 is to really provide 52 00:02:05,567 --> 00:02:09,834 the community perspective recommendations on policy, 53 00:02:09,834 --> 00:02:13,801 practice, procedure, and also initiatives 54 00:02:13,801 --> 00:02:19,200 and push from an advocacy perspective and point of view 55 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,100 what everyday community members and public 56 00:02:22,100 --> 00:02:26,167 are dealing with when pertaining to police officers. 57 00:02:26,167 --> 00:02:28,834 How are policing in Seattle 58 00:02:28,834 --> 00:02:32,634 being impacted within the community, right, 59 00:02:32,634 --> 00:02:36,100 and how are community members being impacted by policing? 60 00:02:36,100 --> 00:02:41,067 Is our policing equitable? Is our policing fair, just? 61 00:02:41,067 --> 00:02:44,234 Are we holding police officers accountable? 62 00:02:44,234 --> 00:02:45,667 And really diving in 63 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:50,300 to some of the deep-rooted historical issues within Seattle 64 00:02:50,300 --> 00:02:53,667 and the breakdown of community and policing. 65 00:02:53,667 --> 00:02:57,767 So I truly believe, as a whole, the CPP 66 00:02:57,767 --> 00:03:01,734 is to really be that community voice working 67 00:03:01,734 --> 00:03:04,367 and bringing it back to the other 68 00:03:04,367 --> 00:03:07,067 justice accountability partners, 69 00:03:07,067 --> 00:03:08,567 bringing it back to City Council, 70 00:03:08,567 --> 00:03:10,767 bringing it back to the mayor's office 71 00:03:10,767 --> 00:03:12,734 and saying, "This is what we're seeing, 72 00:03:12,734 --> 00:03:14,801 this is what we're feeling, 73 00:03:14,801 --> 00:03:18,033 these are the policies that we see work other places. 74 00:03:18,033 --> 00:03:19,834 These are the policies we know would work 75 00:03:19,834 --> 00:03:21,334 in our particular communities, 76 00:03:21,334 --> 00:03:23,100 and this is what we want to see." 77 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:29,634 And so I believe the larger voice of the commission 78 00:03:29,634 --> 00:03:33,868 would be my ultimate job as the executive director 79 00:03:33,868 --> 00:03:36,701 to push those voices forward 80 00:03:36,701 --> 00:03:40,300 and making sure that community have a voice at the table. 81 00:03:40,300 --> 00:03:43,067 -Thank you very much for that. I'll move to question two here. 82 00:03:43,067 --> 00:03:44,701 How can the executive director 83 00:03:44,701 --> 00:03:46,868 and Community Police Commission staff 84 00:03:46,868 --> 00:03:49,601 best support the work of the CPC co-chairs 85 00:03:49,601 --> 00:03:53,267 and commissioners to fulfill the purpose of the CPC? 86 00:03:53,267 --> 00:03:55,968 If you could, share one or two specific strategies 87 00:03:55,968 --> 00:03:59,200 that you would implement as executive director. 88 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:00,367 -Yes, thank you. 89 00:04:00,367 --> 00:04:02,367 So I'm really excited 90 00:04:02,367 --> 00:04:05,267 about the ordinance change around 91 00:04:05,267 --> 00:04:10,200 making sure commissioners are going to be getting stipends, 92 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:12,434 but we have to be real. 93 00:04:12,434 --> 00:04:14,901 The commission is volunteer 94 00:04:14,901 --> 00:04:16,467 and folks are living 95 00:04:16,467 --> 00:04:18,300 their everyday lives and going to work. 96 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:23,367 And also as a commissioner and as a person who advises 97 00:04:23,367 --> 00:04:26,200 a lot of law enforcement and city officials 98 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,400 in paid and nonpaid positions, 99 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,200 I understand the commitment that that takes, right? 100 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,868 And so when folks are living their everyday lives 101 00:04:34,868 --> 00:04:38,100 and not, you know, engaging in the commission, 102 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:40,968 they need somebody that they can trust 103 00:04:40,968 --> 00:04:42,200 that is sitting at the tables, 104 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,367 communicating what is being discussed 105 00:04:44,367 --> 00:04:45,767 in our commission meetings, 106 00:04:45,767 --> 00:04:49,167 communicating what is being discussed in our town halls 107 00:04:49,167 --> 00:04:51,300 and community engagement meetings, 108 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:55,133 and someone who is going to advocate on their behalf, 109 00:04:55,133 --> 00:04:58,033 someone that even when no one else is looking, 110 00:04:58,033 --> 00:05:03,701 has the integrity and the ability to build relationships, 111 00:05:03,701 --> 00:05:07,267 but also hold folks accountable. 112 00:05:07,267 --> 00:05:12,267 And so that really, you know, I like to say the X factor. 113 00:05:12,267 --> 00:05:14,834 Some people have it, some people don't. 114 00:05:14,834 --> 00:05:17,234 And I believe I bring the X factor 115 00:05:17,234 --> 00:05:22,667 and I can't really put it in just a strategy that I have. 116 00:05:22,667 --> 00:05:25,434 I'm trained and a consultant 117 00:05:25,434 --> 00:05:28,100 for the National Conflict Resolution Center, 118 00:05:28,100 --> 00:05:29,501 so I have training in mediation. 119 00:05:29,501 --> 00:05:31,868 I have training in deescalation. 120 00:05:31,868 --> 00:05:34,133 I have training -- every training that you can think of. 121 00:05:34,133 --> 00:05:36,901 But I really take a restorative approach. 122 00:05:36,901 --> 00:05:38,567 Within restorative practices. 123 00:05:38,567 --> 00:05:40,901 We talk a lot about restorative justice 124 00:05:40,901 --> 00:05:42,334 and transformative justice, 125 00:05:42,334 --> 00:05:44,501 and that's the approach that I take. 126 00:05:44,501 --> 00:05:48,067 We need to recognize the harm that has been done. 127 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:54,067 And so I really believe that utilizing community town halls, 128 00:05:54,067 --> 00:05:56,901 like I said, community engagement, 129 00:05:56,901 --> 00:05:58,634 um, being able -- 130 00:05:58,634 --> 00:06:03,934 someone who has the experience of, um, working -- 131 00:06:03,934 --> 00:06:05,868 and I'll say this, I talk about this a lot -- 132 00:06:05,868 --> 00:06:09,534 I've been, you know, arrested more times than I can count. 133 00:06:09,534 --> 00:06:11,968 I've been brutalized by the police 134 00:06:11,968 --> 00:06:14,767 and had to get out of jail and come back 135 00:06:14,767 --> 00:06:18,267 and work with the police and show up 136 00:06:18,267 --> 00:06:21,367 and sit on boards with the D.A. and work through -- 137 00:06:21,367 --> 00:06:24,133 work even after those experiences. 138 00:06:24,133 --> 00:06:27,400 And so, I think, beyond just a framework, 139 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:30,267 a flexible framework and strategy 140 00:06:30,267 --> 00:06:33,133 is someone who knows how to write policy, 141 00:06:33,133 --> 00:06:35,767 how to push and advocate for policy, 142 00:06:35,767 --> 00:06:38,968 but also knows the impacts of the implementation 143 00:06:38,968 --> 00:06:41,067 of implementing that policy 144 00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:44,067 and knows that from a community perspective 145 00:06:44,067 --> 00:06:46,501 and a lived-experience perspective, right? 146 00:06:46,501 --> 00:06:47,901 And so I think it's the balance 147 00:06:47,901 --> 00:06:51,067 of making sure voices in the commission 148 00:06:51,067 --> 00:06:55,234 and the co-chairs' voices are at the table 149 00:06:55,234 --> 00:06:57,000 even when they're not there, 150 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:01,801 but also making sure that the executive director themselves 151 00:07:01,801 --> 00:07:05,067 is a person who is seen as a community advocate 152 00:07:05,067 --> 00:07:07,467 and a person that also knows how to do 153 00:07:07,467 --> 00:07:10,501 the intergovernmental and policy work as well. 154 00:07:10,501 --> 00:07:12,968 -Thank you for that. I'll move to our next question here. 155 00:07:12,968 --> 00:07:15,534 How do you identify communities and populations 156 00:07:15,534 --> 00:07:17,267 whose voice is important to lift up 157 00:07:17,267 --> 00:07:20,334 and hear from in the police accountability space? 158 00:07:20,334 --> 00:07:22,234 How, specifically, would you leverage 159 00:07:22,234 --> 00:07:24,667 your personal involvement and staff resources 160 00:07:24,667 --> 00:07:26,367 to listen to and amplify 161 00:07:26,367 --> 00:07:30,133 the voices of these communities and populations? 162 00:07:30,133 --> 00:07:31,267 -Thank you for the question. 163 00:07:31,267 --> 00:07:34,667 So I truly believe part of the breakdown 164 00:07:34,667 --> 00:07:36,667 in police accountability 165 00:07:36,667 --> 00:07:41,901 is that it has become a career for a lot of folks. 166 00:07:41,901 --> 00:07:45,534 And when I say that, there are a lot of -- 167 00:07:45,534 --> 00:07:49,801 I even know many who are a part of the community -- 168 00:07:49,801 --> 00:07:52,400 police accountability community, right? 169 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:57,067 And they kind of move around city to city doing this work. 170 00:07:57,067 --> 00:08:01,200 And I think there's partially distrust in that 171 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:04,534 because folks are disconnected from the community 172 00:08:04,534 --> 00:08:08,133 and don't always amplify the voices of the community, right? 173 00:08:08,133 --> 00:08:11,000 And so for me, I think being a Black woman, 174 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:16,534 being a person who has experienced harm from policing 175 00:08:16,534 --> 00:08:20,067 and the lack of accountability and the lack of policy, 176 00:08:20,067 --> 00:08:25,200 I'm able to really connect with community members 177 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,634 and expressing not just my story 178 00:08:27,634 --> 00:08:29,634 but listening to theirs, right? 179 00:08:29,634 --> 00:08:32,167 And so the strategy of making sure -- 180 00:08:32,167 --> 00:08:35,033 I mean, historically, we know Black, brown, 181 00:08:35,033 --> 00:08:40,901 Indigenous, BIPOC, Pacific Islander, 182 00:08:40,901 --> 00:08:44,834 Asian communities have been most impacted by policing, right? 183 00:08:44,834 --> 00:08:47,801 And particularly Black communities. 184 00:08:47,801 --> 00:08:50,100 We've seen that prior to George Floyd, 185 00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:52,701 and obviously George Floyd amplified 186 00:08:52,701 --> 00:08:56,033 the deep-rooted issues that we all knew, 187 00:08:56,033 --> 00:08:59,534 especially those that were already impacted. 188 00:08:59,534 --> 00:09:02,634 Um, George Floyd and his murder 189 00:09:02,634 --> 00:09:04,801 only amplified those things, right? 190 00:09:04,801 --> 00:09:09,434 And so people -- I've been doing this work for 15 years now, 191 00:09:09,434 --> 00:09:12,734 but people -- many people are new to this work, right? 192 00:09:12,734 --> 00:09:14,534 And so I think making sure 193 00:09:14,534 --> 00:09:17,667 that the community know what the CPP does, 194 00:09:17,667 --> 00:09:19,734 making sure that the community knows 195 00:09:19,734 --> 00:09:24,901 how the Seattle accountability system actually works, 196 00:09:24,901 --> 00:09:28,501 making sure that people know how each pillar -- 197 00:09:28,501 --> 00:09:31,767 and I call the community accountability partners 198 00:09:31,767 --> 00:09:34,167 a pillar, right, because if each one of us 199 00:09:34,167 --> 00:09:37,367 are doing what we were created to do well, 200 00:09:37,367 --> 00:09:40,067 the community will feel like they have a voice 201 00:09:40,067 --> 00:09:43,601 and feel like those policies and practices are being pushed. 202 00:09:43,601 --> 00:09:48,167 And we do that through looking historically at the data, 203 00:09:48,167 --> 00:09:52,434 looking historically at what the data proves 204 00:09:52,434 --> 00:09:53,901 that we already know, 205 00:09:53,901 --> 00:09:57,734 who has been most impacted by police violence, 206 00:09:57,734 --> 00:10:01,267 who is not seeing the justice and accountability 207 00:10:01,267 --> 00:10:03,167 in their particular communities, 208 00:10:03,167 --> 00:10:06,234 and then bringing those voices, through town halls, 209 00:10:06,234 --> 00:10:09,968 through social media, through all of the different forums 210 00:10:09,968 --> 00:10:12,934 that we should be and could be having, 211 00:10:12,934 --> 00:10:17,834 and making sure that we're working as a commission 212 00:10:17,834 --> 00:10:21,300 to push those lived experiences forward. 213 00:10:21,300 --> 00:10:23,934 -Okay, thank you. I'll move on to our next question here. 214 00:10:23,934 --> 00:10:26,868 Please share with us a situation where you were instrumental 215 00:10:26,868 --> 00:10:29,067 in amplifying the voice of community 216 00:10:29,067 --> 00:10:31,434 to influence a specific policy or practice. 217 00:10:31,434 --> 00:10:33,901 So, want to make sure we hear about amplifying the voice 218 00:10:33,901 --> 00:10:35,434 and also the impact of that. 219 00:10:35,434 --> 00:10:38,868 What were you able to influence? Let's talk about it, please. 220 00:10:38,868 --> 00:10:40,133 -Thank you so much. 221 00:10:40,133 --> 00:10:42,501 So I am an advisor 222 00:10:42,501 --> 00:10:45,000 for the San Diego City Attorney's Office, 223 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:49,634 and I'm also an advisor for and the chairwoman of 224 00:10:49,634 --> 00:10:52,334 the San Diego Chief of Police Board of Advisors. 225 00:10:52,334 --> 00:10:56,067 And so, within that work -- and I don't have time to name 226 00:10:56,067 --> 00:10:57,667 all of the things that I'm a part of -- 227 00:10:57,667 --> 00:11:00,934 but within that work there has been multiple things 228 00:11:00,934 --> 00:11:05,334 that I have spearheaded and done the front-facing work, 229 00:11:05,334 --> 00:11:07,267 but also the behind-the-scenes work, 230 00:11:07,267 --> 00:11:09,801 and one of those things is the choke hold. 231 00:11:09,801 --> 00:11:14,300 For many years prior to, again, George Floyd 232 00:11:14,300 --> 00:11:15,467 and many of the other deaths 233 00:11:15,467 --> 00:11:20,133 that have happened by the hands of policing 234 00:11:20,133 --> 00:11:22,634 and the lack of accountability, 235 00:11:22,634 --> 00:11:25,467 we were working on getting the choke hold, 236 00:11:25,467 --> 00:11:29,234 the carotid restraint, banned within San Diego. 237 00:11:29,234 --> 00:11:31,133 That took town halls, 238 00:11:31,133 --> 00:11:35,167 that took me going into the chief's office, 239 00:11:35,167 --> 00:11:38,067 working with the city attorney, looking at the data. 240 00:11:38,067 --> 00:11:40,467 How many lawsuits are we getting? 241 00:11:40,467 --> 00:11:45,200 I understand that, you know, different leaders 242 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,133 in the political realm have value 243 00:11:48,133 --> 00:11:50,367 or see value in different things, right? 244 00:11:50,367 --> 00:11:52,834 And so sometimes I have to speak numbers. 245 00:11:52,834 --> 00:11:56,667 When the city is losing a significant amount of money, 246 00:11:56,667 --> 00:11:58,934 unfortunately they may not always care 247 00:11:58,934 --> 00:12:00,634 about the lives of folks, 248 00:12:00,634 --> 00:12:02,534 but they care about losing money, right? 249 00:12:02,534 --> 00:12:06,501 And so I will go into spaces -- and, fortunately, 250 00:12:06,501 --> 00:12:09,000 our city attorney does care about lives of people, 251 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:13,501 and so looking at the numbers -- How much are we being sued? 252 00:12:13,501 --> 00:12:18,367 How much are -- or even folks complaining around 253 00:12:18,367 --> 00:12:19,567 the carotid restraint, 254 00:12:19,567 --> 00:12:23,501 looking at the body-worn camera footage -- 255 00:12:23,501 --> 00:12:26,400 How is that impacting the community, right? 256 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:31,100 Holding town halls and bringing this back to the chief, 257 00:12:31,100 --> 00:12:36,367 talking about, is this something that is overutilized? 258 00:12:36,367 --> 00:12:42,133 Is this something that we can effectively arrest folks 259 00:12:42,133 --> 00:12:46,567 in a humane way without the carotid restraint, right? 260 00:12:46,567 --> 00:12:49,901 And so that took years of conversation, 261 00:12:49,901 --> 00:12:52,467 and then we were able to ultimately 262 00:12:52,467 --> 00:12:56,033 get that policy change. 263 00:12:56,033 --> 00:13:01,400 Also putting Measure B here in San Diego on the ballot, 264 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:05,901 Measure B was getting our CRB, the Community Review Board, 265 00:13:05,901 --> 00:13:09,901 changed into an independent commission on police practice. 266 00:13:09,901 --> 00:13:14,267 I helped to draft and push that. 267 00:13:14,267 --> 00:13:16,667 It failed the first time around, and we came back 268 00:13:16,667 --> 00:13:18,767 and we organized the communities. 269 00:13:18,767 --> 00:13:21,033 We spoke to community leaders. 270 00:13:21,033 --> 00:13:27,534 We got community organizations involved. 271 00:13:27,534 --> 00:13:31,100 We started a social media campaign. 272 00:13:31,100 --> 00:13:37,067 We created a policy and even talked with law enforcement. 273 00:13:37,067 --> 00:13:38,834 Me being, you know, the chairwoman, 274 00:13:38,834 --> 00:13:43,634 I was able to be a liaison in the intergovernmental work 275 00:13:43,634 --> 00:13:45,868 that needed to be done in that area. 276 00:13:45,868 --> 00:13:48,968 And we ultimately got the City Council 277 00:13:48,968 --> 00:13:53,400 to support Measure B and then ultimately get it 278 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,901 on the larger ballot during the election. 279 00:13:55,901 --> 00:14:00,767 The community, from the community campaigns that we did, 280 00:14:00,767 --> 00:14:02,501 they voted and passed 281 00:14:02,501 --> 00:14:05,267 the independent commission on police practice. 282 00:14:05,267 --> 00:14:07,467 And then not only that, 283 00:14:07,467 --> 00:14:11,901 but being a huge part of making sure, after we pass policy, 284 00:14:11,901 --> 00:14:16,434 that we're implementing it the way in which the people voted, 285 00:14:16,434 --> 00:14:19,968 because many times we push and pass policy, 286 00:14:19,968 --> 00:14:23,400 but the implementation is done incorrectly 287 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,334 and there's no oversight 288 00:14:26,334 --> 00:14:30,033 in a way that really is reflective 289 00:14:30,033 --> 00:14:33,667 of why the community voted for it in the first place. 290 00:14:33,667 --> 00:14:35,200 And so I believe in being proactive 291 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,200 so we don't always have to be reactive. 292 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,501 And so those are some of the things, 293 00:14:39,501 --> 00:14:43,367 just a few of the things that I've I've helped lead 294 00:14:43,367 --> 00:14:44,968 and get passed. 295 00:14:44,968 --> 00:14:46,367 -Thank you for those examples. 296 00:14:46,367 --> 00:14:48,167 Our next question here is a triple-header. 297 00:14:48,167 --> 00:14:51,400 So, the CPC executive director is accountable for 298 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:55,033 leading and managing staff to fulfill the CPC's purpose. 299 00:14:55,033 --> 00:14:56,334 We'd like to gain some more insight 300 00:14:56,334 --> 00:14:58,868 into your administrative management in three ways -- 301 00:14:58,868 --> 00:15:00,868 How do you prioritize and delegate work 302 00:15:00,868 --> 00:15:02,033 within the office, 303 00:15:02,033 --> 00:15:04,033 support employee morale and engagement, 304 00:15:04,033 --> 00:15:05,334 and grow and develop staff? 305 00:15:05,334 --> 00:15:07,434 Let's tackle that first one briefly if we could. 306 00:15:07,434 --> 00:15:10,701 How do you prioritize and delegate work within the office? 307 00:15:10,701 --> 00:15:13,000 -Definitely. 308 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:20,534 So I believe in making sure that we revisit our goals, 309 00:15:20,534 --> 00:15:25,400 revisit the goals that the community, the commission, 310 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,567 City Council, mayor, 311 00:15:27,567 --> 00:15:30,901 and the goals with our accountability partners, right? 312 00:15:30,901 --> 00:15:32,801 I currently work for L.A. County, 313 00:15:32,801 --> 00:15:36,901 where I manage a significant amount of directors 314 00:15:36,901 --> 00:15:41,501 and program managers and consulting staff, right? 315 00:15:41,501 --> 00:15:44,567 And one of the things that I do 316 00:15:44,567 --> 00:15:48,801 is really creating a strategic plan, a goal, 317 00:15:48,801 --> 00:15:53,033 and then checking in monthly on where we're at, 318 00:15:53,033 --> 00:15:57,033 creating short, mid- and long-term goals 319 00:15:57,033 --> 00:16:00,601 and making sure that we're not just checking the box 320 00:16:00,601 --> 00:16:05,968 but those things are being implemented and are effective. 321 00:16:05,968 --> 00:16:09,834 I truly believe in staff development, 322 00:16:09,834 --> 00:16:11,334 professional development, 323 00:16:11,334 --> 00:16:16,501 and so really tapping into, what are the strengths of my staff, 324 00:16:16,501 --> 00:16:17,934 who does what well? 325 00:16:17,934 --> 00:16:21,801 Delegating in the areas of their strengths, 326 00:16:21,801 --> 00:16:25,300 really encouraging them to be leaders 327 00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:28,734 within whatever they are taking ownership of 328 00:16:28,734 --> 00:16:32,234 and then coming back together to see what's working, 329 00:16:32,234 --> 00:16:35,300 what's not working, and coming back to the table, right? 330 00:16:35,300 --> 00:16:39,334 Really -- I provide a lot of technical assistance, 331 00:16:39,334 --> 00:16:43,634 and so I really, truly believe in, 332 00:16:43,634 --> 00:16:46,067 as I've been in this work a really long time, 333 00:16:46,067 --> 00:16:50,400 I'm able to answer questions and rapidly respond 334 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,434 to the things that my staff bring to me. 335 00:16:53,434 --> 00:16:55,300 I think you're trying to say -- 336 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:57,100 -Yeah, I wanted to make sure that I jumped in here 337 00:16:57,100 --> 00:16:59,567 because it sounded like you were going into the next question, 338 00:16:59,567 --> 00:17:01,100 which I'd like you to answer -- 339 00:17:01,100 --> 00:17:02,801 supporting employee morale and engagement. 340 00:17:02,801 --> 00:17:06,434 Let's talk about that, please. How do you do that? 341 00:17:06,434 --> 00:17:08,634 -Yes, so, sorry I went ahead. 342 00:17:08,634 --> 00:17:13,033 But, you know, I think, like I said, really encouraging 343 00:17:13,033 --> 00:17:15,701 and listening to our staffs 344 00:17:15,701 --> 00:17:19,634 and the commissioners' stories, why they got into this work, 345 00:17:19,634 --> 00:17:21,734 building off of their strengths, 346 00:17:21,734 --> 00:17:23,200 building off of their background, 347 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:25,734 what excites them, what is their passion, 348 00:17:25,734 --> 00:17:28,767 making sure that I am supporting 349 00:17:28,767 --> 00:17:33,834 and even contributing to their personal development, 350 00:17:33,834 --> 00:17:35,868 because when you're doing well personally, 351 00:17:35,868 --> 00:17:38,634 you're doing well professionally, right? 352 00:17:38,634 --> 00:17:40,167 And how does that show up? 353 00:17:40,167 --> 00:17:41,701 Making sure I'm checking in with them 354 00:17:41,701 --> 00:17:44,033 when something happens within the community. 355 00:17:44,033 --> 00:17:46,434 How has that impacted them, right? 356 00:17:46,434 --> 00:17:48,467 Taking that restorative approach. 357 00:17:48,467 --> 00:17:52,000 And so when we talk about morale, right, 358 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:55,934 as a team, we need to engage together. 359 00:17:55,934 --> 00:17:59,934 I don't just give feedback to my team. 360 00:17:59,934 --> 00:18:03,334 I also ask my team to give feedback to me. 361 00:18:03,334 --> 00:18:07,367 How could I have helped you better this month, this week? 362 00:18:07,367 --> 00:18:09,167 What's working? What's not working? 363 00:18:09,167 --> 00:18:10,868 What would you like to see, right? 364 00:18:10,868 --> 00:18:12,033 It goes both ways. 365 00:18:12,033 --> 00:18:15,300 But I also believe in strong accountability. 366 00:18:15,300 --> 00:18:19,234 I will say anyone who works with me knows 367 00:18:19,234 --> 00:18:24,000 that I hold myself to a high standard 368 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,767 and high expectations, 369 00:18:25,767 --> 00:18:27,968 and I hold my team to that as well. 370 00:18:27,968 --> 00:18:32,968 And it's not just about, just as we're talking around policing, 371 00:18:32,968 --> 00:18:36,767 it's not about punishment, it's about accountability 372 00:18:36,767 --> 00:18:38,934 and getting our officers to look -- 373 00:18:38,934 --> 00:18:41,601 and the system as a whole -- to look at it differently. 374 00:18:41,601 --> 00:18:43,767 I bring that into the everyday work. 375 00:18:43,767 --> 00:18:46,434 So I'm not about punishing folks. 376 00:18:46,434 --> 00:18:49,501 I'm about holding folks accountable to make them better 377 00:18:49,501 --> 00:18:53,400 and so that we can produce better work for our community. 378 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:56,067 Um, and then coaching around, 379 00:18:56,067 --> 00:18:58,133 how do we engage with the community, 380 00:18:58,133 --> 00:19:01,968 how are we -- how are we debriefing around 381 00:19:01,968 --> 00:19:05,167 the impact of this heavy work that we are doing? 382 00:19:05,167 --> 00:19:07,067 So those are just a few of the strategies 383 00:19:07,067 --> 00:19:08,567 that I utilize. 384 00:19:08,567 --> 00:19:10,167 -Thank you, and I think you may have touched on this already, 385 00:19:10,167 --> 00:19:12,901 but any final thoughts about growing and developing staff? 386 00:19:12,901 --> 00:19:15,767 That's the final piece of this question. 387 00:19:15,767 --> 00:19:19,667 -I just think there's so many -- there's so many conferences 388 00:19:19,667 --> 00:19:23,934 and so many different resources out there, 389 00:19:23,934 --> 00:19:28,634 and so making sure, as a person who's been doing this work 390 00:19:28,634 --> 00:19:30,000 a really long time, 391 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:33,767 that my staff have the same information I have 392 00:19:33,767 --> 00:19:37,534 and making sure they're connected to those resources. 393 00:19:37,534 --> 00:19:40,501 So those are some of the things that I'm strong on. 394 00:19:40,501 --> 00:19:44,334 Also, how to receive feedback, you know, 395 00:19:44,334 --> 00:19:48,033 and how do we do that as a team to move forward? 396 00:19:48,033 --> 00:19:50,400 So that's all I'll say about that. 397 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:53,400 -Great. Thank you for that comprehensive answer there. 398 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:55,167 I'll move on to our last question here. 399 00:19:55,167 --> 00:19:57,000 What do you see as critical 400 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,567 in the CPC executive director's relationship 401 00:19:59,567 --> 00:20:00,901 with the inspector general 402 00:20:00,901 --> 00:20:04,167 and the director of the Office of Police Accountability? 403 00:20:04,167 --> 00:20:06,834 How would you facilitate a community conversation 404 00:20:06,834 --> 00:20:10,767 about the work of police accountability partners? 405 00:20:10,767 --> 00:20:13,567 -So I'll start with that first half. 406 00:20:13,567 --> 00:20:17,067 Um, you know, 407 00:20:17,067 --> 00:20:21,033 many of the accountability systems in other cities 408 00:20:21,033 --> 00:20:24,234 do not have a three-part accountability system. 409 00:20:24,234 --> 00:20:26,801 And so I was asked the question 410 00:20:26,801 --> 00:20:29,167 during my interview process around, 411 00:20:29,167 --> 00:20:31,334 did I believe that the commission -- 412 00:20:31,334 --> 00:20:33,567 the Community Police Commission -- 413 00:20:33,567 --> 00:20:40,033 should have more ability and power within oversight? 414 00:20:40,033 --> 00:20:41,968 And I said yes, right? 415 00:20:41,968 --> 00:20:45,968 In my experience, we've had to fight to get teeth 416 00:20:45,968 --> 00:20:49,000 in a lot of these accountability commissions 417 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,234 and departments. 418 00:20:50,234 --> 00:20:53,267 But the thing that encourages me about Seattle 419 00:20:53,267 --> 00:20:56,601 is that there is a three-part accountability system, right, 420 00:20:56,601 --> 00:21:00,734 and so there's accountability that should be full circle. 421 00:21:00,734 --> 00:21:07,968 And as I said before, if every accountability partner 422 00:21:07,968 --> 00:21:11,334 is standing as a strong pillar, 423 00:21:11,334 --> 00:21:14,200 then we should see this work moving forward. 424 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,834 I believe that having a relationship -- 425 00:21:16,834 --> 00:21:18,701 and not just a relationship, 426 00:21:18,701 --> 00:21:22,467 but all of us having the same information, 427 00:21:22,467 --> 00:21:24,701 communicating the same information, 428 00:21:24,701 --> 00:21:26,968 going back after our meetings 429 00:21:26,968 --> 00:21:29,634 and talking to our different departments 430 00:21:29,634 --> 00:21:30,968 about what's happening, 431 00:21:30,968 --> 00:21:33,901 being able to really get the community 432 00:21:33,901 --> 00:21:39,601 to understand what each individual office does 433 00:21:39,601 --> 00:21:41,567 and is responsible for. 434 00:21:41,567 --> 00:21:45,067 I think that's where frustration comes from many times 435 00:21:45,067 --> 00:21:49,067 is that people don't have a clear understanding 436 00:21:49,067 --> 00:21:51,334 on who's responsible for what. 437 00:21:51,334 --> 00:21:54,167 And I believe, as the executive director, 438 00:21:54,167 --> 00:21:57,200 and as the Community Police Commission, 439 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:00,367 it is our job to make sure that community understands -- 440 00:22:00,367 --> 00:22:04,400 clearly understands -- what each partner does and why 441 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:05,834 and how it works, right? 442 00:22:05,834 --> 00:22:08,334 And if we want to change something, 443 00:22:08,334 --> 00:22:10,901 then we have to come back to the table and organize 444 00:22:10,901 --> 00:22:12,567 and get that change. 445 00:22:12,567 --> 00:22:16,467 But as it stands right now, this is how it flows and works, 446 00:22:16,467 --> 00:22:20,200 and I think if community had a clearer understanding of that, 447 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:23,667 some of that frustration we should start to see decrease 448 00:22:23,667 --> 00:22:26,701 because they have a direct line of communication 449 00:22:26,701 --> 00:22:28,033 with the partners 450 00:22:28,033 --> 00:22:29,701 and they understand what each partner does. 451 00:22:29,701 --> 00:22:30,767 -Got it. 452 00:22:30,767 --> 00:22:32,234 And I know you were touching on this, 453 00:22:32,234 --> 00:22:35,901 but this idea of facilitating that community conversation 454 00:22:35,901 --> 00:22:38,033 about the work of police accountability partners, 455 00:22:38,033 --> 00:22:40,868 how would you do something like that? 456 00:22:40,868 --> 00:22:43,767 -So, something that I do in San Diego and in L.A. County -- 457 00:22:43,767 --> 00:22:46,567 So in L.A. County, I'm responsible for 458 00:22:46,567 --> 00:22:48,100 helping to move -- 459 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:51,300 there was legislation passed on the state level 460 00:22:51,300 --> 00:22:55,834 and then on the county level to move the juvenile justice system 461 00:22:55,834 --> 00:23:00,968 into a new Department of Youth Development, 462 00:23:00,968 --> 00:23:03,000 and I am in the diversion division. 463 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,467 So as it stands, I have to have really difficult conversations 464 00:23:06,467 --> 00:23:07,834 with law enforcement 465 00:23:07,834 --> 00:23:10,400 who have historically done things, 466 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:13,734 and programs lived within law enforcement 467 00:23:13,734 --> 00:23:16,033 that now will live within community 468 00:23:16,033 --> 00:23:17,734 in this new department, right? 469 00:23:17,734 --> 00:23:21,334 And so some of the things that I do in San Diego 470 00:23:21,334 --> 00:23:25,234 is with the National Conflict Resolution Center 471 00:23:25,234 --> 00:23:29,667 and then myself as a consultant is have courageous conversations 472 00:23:29,667 --> 00:23:32,067 when there's a breakdown in communication, 473 00:23:32,067 --> 00:23:35,767 when there is a new policy or initiative 474 00:23:35,767 --> 00:23:37,868 that is being proposed. 475 00:23:37,868 --> 00:23:40,601 I go into the community and many times 476 00:23:40,601 --> 00:23:44,968 I've brought law enforcement together with community 477 00:23:44,968 --> 00:23:49,167 and facilitated what I like to say "circles," 478 00:23:49,167 --> 00:23:53,033 and we call them restorative circles in -- 479 00:23:53,033 --> 00:23:56,400 that was really brought from the Indigenous community 480 00:23:56,400 --> 00:24:00,334 and what we utilize as restorative practices, right? 481 00:24:00,334 --> 00:24:02,834 And so we have those courageous conversations. 482 00:24:02,834 --> 00:24:06,100 We have that dialogue really giving understanding 483 00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:10,300 on what's happening, what is taking place, 484 00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:12,434 what is being proposed. 485 00:24:12,434 --> 00:24:16,767 Also, you know, as you said, what the different 486 00:24:16,767 --> 00:24:20,801 community accountability partners actually do. 487 00:24:20,801 --> 00:24:22,334 And so that's what I would do 488 00:24:22,334 --> 00:24:24,701 is to have those courageous conversations. 489 00:24:24,701 --> 00:24:27,367 Again, like I said, utilize social media, 490 00:24:27,367 --> 00:24:32,868 utilize other public forums to have those dialogues. 491 00:24:32,868 --> 00:24:36,434 But it really takes building one-on-one relationships 492 00:24:36,434 --> 00:24:40,133 to even get to the point where I can facilitate 493 00:24:40,133 --> 00:24:42,200 those larger conversations 494 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,767 so that we can address some of the harms 495 00:24:44,767 --> 00:24:46,701 that are done in communities. 496 00:24:46,701 --> 00:24:47,901 -Thank you very much for that. 497 00:24:47,901 --> 00:24:49,801 We're going to take a brief break right now, 498 00:24:49,801 --> 00:24:52,701 and we will return with the next candidate for executive director 499 00:24:52,701 --> 00:24:54,767 of the Community Police Commission. 500 00:24:54,767 --> 00:25:04,634 ♪♪ 501 00:25:04,634 --> 00:25:14,434 ♪♪ 502 00:25:14,434 --> 00:25:16,400 And with us now, Cali Ellis. 503 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:19,400 Cali, thank you very much for joining us. 504 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:21,601 -Thank you. -Let's jump right into it here. 505 00:25:21,601 --> 00:25:24,667 From your perspective, what is the central or core work 506 00:25:24,667 --> 00:25:26,434 of the Community Police Commission 507 00:25:26,434 --> 00:25:29,734 within the city's established police accountability framework? 508 00:25:29,734 --> 00:25:31,033 As the executive director, 509 00:25:31,033 --> 00:25:34,534 what part of this work interests you the most? 510 00:25:34,534 --> 00:25:36,734 -Well, thank you for that question. 511 00:25:36,734 --> 00:25:38,667 I see the core work of the CPC 512 00:25:38,667 --> 00:25:41,601 as amplifying the voices of all the communities in Seattle 513 00:25:41,601 --> 00:25:44,100 and being responsive to community needs 514 00:25:44,100 --> 00:25:46,734 and concerns about policing. 515 00:25:46,734 --> 00:25:49,000 Our goal is to facilitate a community connection 516 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:50,234 to constitutional policing. 517 00:25:50,234 --> 00:25:52,200 That's very much written into the ordinance 518 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:54,033 and something that we're very close to. 519 00:25:54,033 --> 00:25:57,334 So this does include oversight of instances of police violence 520 00:25:57,334 --> 00:25:58,734 towards community members, 521 00:25:58,734 --> 00:26:01,000 but the ordinance is clear for the CPC 522 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,667 that it is not the only role of the CPC. 523 00:26:03,667 --> 00:26:04,868 The ordinance says the role 524 00:26:04,868 --> 00:26:06,634 is to engage the community in outreach 525 00:26:06,634 --> 00:26:09,300 to obtain the perspectives of community members 526 00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:12,467 and SPD employees on police and community relations -- 527 00:26:12,467 --> 00:26:14,167 this is language from the ordinance -- 528 00:26:14,167 --> 00:26:16,400 as well as SPD policies and practices 529 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:18,934 and also the accountability system. 530 00:26:18,934 --> 00:26:20,400 So my perspective is that 531 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:22,234 while the police must be accountable for their work, 532 00:26:22,234 --> 00:26:24,767 given their unique and extraordinary legal powers, 533 00:26:24,767 --> 00:26:26,968 the community is also concerned about violence 534 00:26:26,968 --> 00:26:28,901 that makes people less safe. 535 00:26:28,901 --> 00:26:32,167 In SPD's 2022, end-of-year crime report, 536 00:26:32,167 --> 00:26:34,701 there were violent crimes have increased, 537 00:26:34,701 --> 00:26:36,267 and there were 52 homicides that year. 538 00:26:36,267 --> 00:26:39,868 This was a 24% increase over 2021. 539 00:26:39,868 --> 00:26:42,334 Just last night I was at a Zoom community meeting 540 00:26:42,334 --> 00:26:44,267 of the South Precinct Advisory Council, 541 00:26:44,267 --> 00:26:46,868 which was attended by at least 100 people. 542 00:26:46,868 --> 00:26:49,434 And our neighbors in Rainier Beach, which is the area 543 00:26:49,434 --> 00:26:51,567 the South Precinct Advisory Council covers, 544 00:26:51,567 --> 00:26:53,334 are alarmed about recent gun violence 545 00:26:53,334 --> 00:26:55,434 that's hurt volunteers and community members 546 00:26:55,434 --> 00:26:57,200 in the Safeway parking lot. 547 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:59,067 The role of the CPC is very much 548 00:26:59,067 --> 00:27:00,734 to listen to those community members, 549 00:27:00,734 --> 00:27:02,634 to all community members, and engage with them 550 00:27:02,634 --> 00:27:05,434 about their concerns about violence in their community, 551 00:27:05,434 --> 00:27:08,467 even if it's not necessarily at the hands of police. 552 00:27:08,467 --> 00:27:09,534 -Thank you. 553 00:27:09,534 --> 00:27:10,934 And I think you have touched on this 554 00:27:10,934 --> 00:27:12,767 at least a little bit, but I just wanted to follow up -- 555 00:27:12,767 --> 00:27:14,000 As executive director, 556 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:16,667 what part of this work interests you the most? 557 00:27:16,667 --> 00:27:19,567 -Yes, so this is very important work to me 558 00:27:19,567 --> 00:27:21,200 because I've been living in Seattle 559 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:22,634 for the past six years. 560 00:27:22,634 --> 00:27:25,767 I've been living in community and seeing very many changes 561 00:27:25,767 --> 00:27:27,601 that have happened during that time. 562 00:27:27,601 --> 00:27:30,767 So I was here during the CHOP and CHAZ period, 563 00:27:30,767 --> 00:27:33,300 I was here before that, and I'm still here now. 564 00:27:33,300 --> 00:27:35,434 Even when I was working in a different part of the state, 565 00:27:35,434 --> 00:27:37,667 I was always living in my community in Seattle, 566 00:27:37,667 --> 00:27:39,701 and this is something that I've wanted to come back 567 00:27:39,701 --> 00:27:42,901 and give my time and expertise to as executive director. 568 00:27:42,901 --> 00:27:45,334 This is a very important time for the community, 569 00:27:45,334 --> 00:27:47,267 for the police, for the nation, 570 00:27:47,267 --> 00:27:49,534 and this is something that I really want to be part of. 571 00:27:49,534 --> 00:27:52,300 -Thank you. I'll move on to our next question here. 572 00:27:52,300 --> 00:27:53,701 How can the executive director 573 00:27:53,701 --> 00:27:55,868 and the Community Police Commission staff 574 00:27:55,868 --> 00:27:58,767 best support the work of the CPC co-chairs 575 00:27:58,767 --> 00:28:02,067 and commissioners to fulfill the purpose of the CPC? 576 00:28:02,067 --> 00:28:04,567 If you could, share one or two specific strategies 577 00:28:04,567 --> 00:28:07,701 that you would implement as executive director. 578 00:28:07,701 --> 00:28:09,167 -Sure. Thank you for that. 579 00:28:09,167 --> 00:28:11,467 So the role of the CPC executive Director 580 00:28:11,467 --> 00:28:14,634 is to support the goals of the CPC co-chairs 581 00:28:14,634 --> 00:28:16,200 and the commission itself. 582 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:18,434 If you look through the history of the CPC, 583 00:28:18,434 --> 00:28:20,434 those goals have changed over time. 584 00:28:20,434 --> 00:28:23,367 The people, the composition of the CPC changes. 585 00:28:23,367 --> 00:28:25,067 And so the role of the executive director 586 00:28:25,067 --> 00:28:27,400 is to make sure that we can facilitate through staff 587 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:28,767 and through the work that we do 588 00:28:28,767 --> 00:28:31,400 what these folks, the commissioners who are 589 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:33,334 community members and volunteers, 590 00:28:33,334 --> 00:28:35,801 want to get out of a given time. 591 00:28:35,801 --> 00:28:38,100 So it's very important to know that the CPC setup 592 00:28:38,100 --> 00:28:40,300 is unique nationwide. 593 00:28:40,300 --> 00:28:41,601 It's very different from other 594 00:28:41,601 --> 00:28:43,667 accountability systems in other places. 595 00:28:43,667 --> 00:28:46,200 And the most recent revision to the accountability ordinance, 596 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:48,434 which just went through last month, 597 00:28:48,434 --> 00:28:51,567 really clarified oversight of the executive director 598 00:28:51,567 --> 00:28:54,200 of the Community Police Commission by these volunteers, 599 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,434 the CPC co-chairs and CPC commissioners. 600 00:28:57,434 --> 00:28:59,501 So it clarifies this by bringing in 601 00:28:59,501 --> 00:29:01,534 the City Department of Human Resources. 602 00:29:01,534 --> 00:29:03,734 Again, this is a very unique structure within the city, 603 00:29:03,734 --> 00:29:05,434 but it's something that really works to bring 604 00:29:05,434 --> 00:29:09,100 the voices of community itself to this process. 605 00:29:09,100 --> 00:29:11,334 So my first strategy, or one strategy 606 00:29:11,334 --> 00:29:13,901 that I implemented as interim executive director 607 00:29:13,901 --> 00:29:17,000 to help the CPC fulfill its purpose and its mission 608 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:20,200 was to help commissioners reengage with each other. 609 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:22,334 So, as you know, many organizations 610 00:29:22,334 --> 00:29:25,367 were really set back on their heels by COVID. 611 00:29:25,367 --> 00:29:28,400 The CPC in prior times used to be a very active, 612 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:30,701 in-person organization where people would meet each other 613 00:29:30,701 --> 00:29:35,300 and talk -- community members, commissioners, police officers, 614 00:29:35,300 --> 00:29:37,534 everybody would get together in person 615 00:29:37,534 --> 00:29:39,501 to make connections and understand 616 00:29:39,501 --> 00:29:41,234 and work through what their priorities and goals were. 617 00:29:41,234 --> 00:29:44,234 And because of COVID, that kind of fell away. 618 00:29:44,234 --> 00:29:46,601 Currently, the CPC usually meets online, 619 00:29:46,601 --> 00:29:49,801 on Zoom calls or other types of that kind of technology. 620 00:29:49,801 --> 00:29:52,267 However, it's really important to engage with people 621 00:29:52,267 --> 00:29:53,834 to make that connection. 622 00:29:53,834 --> 00:29:55,267 So one of the things that I did 623 00:29:55,267 --> 00:29:57,334 as interim executive director was -- 624 00:29:57,334 --> 00:29:59,133 This year we had a lot of new commissioners. 625 00:29:59,133 --> 00:30:01,234 We had five coming in at the same time. 626 00:30:01,234 --> 00:30:04,601 So I set up an in-person orientation -- in-person -- 627 00:30:04,601 --> 00:30:06,367 so they could all meet each other 628 00:30:06,367 --> 00:30:08,801 while they were learning about the accountability system. 629 00:30:08,801 --> 00:30:10,734 So this included representatives 630 00:30:10,734 --> 00:30:12,133 from the Seattle Police Department. 631 00:30:12,133 --> 00:30:13,734 Chief Diaz was there, 632 00:30:13,734 --> 00:30:16,133 the director of the Office of Police Accountability was there, 633 00:30:16,133 --> 00:30:17,567 the inspector general was there, 634 00:30:17,567 --> 00:30:19,868 as well as representatives from the city attorney's office 635 00:30:19,868 --> 00:30:22,701 to talk about things that are important to the commission, 636 00:30:22,701 --> 00:30:25,868 such as the Open Public Meetings Act of Washington 637 00:30:25,868 --> 00:30:29,100 or the Public Records Act for the work that they're doing. 638 00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:31,968 So that's a really good example of one kind of strategy 639 00:30:31,968 --> 00:30:34,534 that I'm taking to help, 640 00:30:34,534 --> 00:30:37,367 as in the role of interim executive director, 641 00:30:37,367 --> 00:30:39,434 to help the commissioners and the co-chairs 642 00:30:39,434 --> 00:30:40,567 achieve their goals. 643 00:30:40,567 --> 00:30:41,667 -Thank you very much. 644 00:30:41,667 --> 00:30:43,734 I'll move on to the next question here. 645 00:30:43,734 --> 00:30:46,400 How do you identify communities and populations 646 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:48,100 whose voice is important to lift up 647 00:30:48,100 --> 00:30:51,267 and hear from in the police accountability space? 648 00:30:51,267 --> 00:30:53,000 How, specifically, would you leverage 649 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:55,667 your personal involvement and staff resources 650 00:30:55,667 --> 00:30:57,567 to listen to and amplify 651 00:30:57,567 --> 00:31:00,467 the voices of these community populations? 652 00:31:00,467 --> 00:31:01,801 If you would. 653 00:31:01,801 --> 00:31:03,100 -Yes. Thank you. 654 00:31:03,100 --> 00:31:04,868 This is important because, again, 655 00:31:04,868 --> 00:31:06,767 our governing ordinance is very clear 656 00:31:06,767 --> 00:31:08,133 about what the intention was 657 00:31:08,133 --> 00:31:09,934 for setting up the Community Police Commission, 658 00:31:09,934 --> 00:31:12,767 as well as our partners in OIG and OPA. 659 00:31:12,767 --> 00:31:15,133 So the ordinance states that the CPC is intended 660 00:31:15,133 --> 00:31:17,901 to serve as a community voice for the entire city 661 00:31:17,901 --> 00:31:20,234 and should include voices from all corners of the city 662 00:31:20,234 --> 00:31:22,868 so that no geographic area is left out. 663 00:31:22,868 --> 00:31:24,100 And that's important because 664 00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:26,200 Seattle is such a very diverse city. 665 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:28,934 About 14% of the population of Seattle is Asian, 666 00:31:28,934 --> 00:31:32,767 and that includes Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, 667 00:31:32,767 --> 00:31:36,467 Korean, a large number of folks, as well as 8% of the population 668 00:31:36,467 --> 00:31:38,133 that's Black or African-American, 669 00:31:38,133 --> 00:31:40,200 which includes important immigrant communities. 670 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,033 9% is Hispanic or Latino, 671 00:31:42,033 --> 00:31:44,767 and just over 1% are American Indian 672 00:31:44,767 --> 00:31:46,801 or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 673 00:31:46,801 --> 00:31:48,167 or other Pacific Islander. 674 00:31:48,167 --> 00:31:50,701 So that gives you a sense of the diversity of Seattle. 675 00:31:50,701 --> 00:31:53,534 And when I read the ordinance, that's what I'm thinking. 676 00:31:53,534 --> 00:31:56,167 This is the the wide variety of populations 677 00:31:56,167 --> 00:31:57,901 that we are intended to serve. 678 00:31:57,901 --> 00:31:59,701 But at the same time, not all communities 679 00:31:59,701 --> 00:32:02,100 experience policing in the same way. 680 00:32:02,100 --> 00:32:04,501 So in terms of how I would specifically leverage 681 00:32:04,501 --> 00:32:06,067 involvement and staff resources 682 00:32:06,067 --> 00:32:08,868 of the CPC to capture and amplify these voices, 683 00:32:08,868 --> 00:32:10,400 in 2023 alone, 684 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:12,701 in my current role as interim executive director, 685 00:32:12,701 --> 00:32:15,868 we have significantly expanded the outreach of the CPC 686 00:32:15,868 --> 00:32:17,467 through our community engagement staff 687 00:32:17,467 --> 00:32:19,234 to marginalized communities. 688 00:32:19,234 --> 00:32:21,400 Our staff is an award-winning staff. 689 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:23,701 They've won national and local awards 690 00:32:23,701 --> 00:32:25,300 that really show the depth 691 00:32:25,300 --> 00:32:27,400 of their commitment to the communities. 692 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:29,434 Staff is actively engaged in 693 00:32:29,434 --> 00:32:31,734 multiple community events all over the city 694 00:32:31,734 --> 00:32:34,534 and forged relationships with these diverse communities, 695 00:32:34,534 --> 00:32:38,067 including, very importantly, non-English-speaking communities 696 00:32:38,067 --> 00:32:41,000 who are often excluded from discussions of policing 697 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:42,767 or what they want out of police. 698 00:32:42,767 --> 00:32:45,734 We make sure to reach out to them. 699 00:32:45,734 --> 00:32:49,467 Our staff are tabling and they are talking to people 700 00:32:49,467 --> 00:32:51,400 and listening, and listening to voices 701 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:53,334 that are not often heard because this is something 702 00:32:53,334 --> 00:32:55,901 that's extremely important for the CPC to do. 703 00:32:55,901 --> 00:32:58,000 The loudest voices are not necessarily the ones 704 00:32:58,000 --> 00:33:00,534 that are also experiencing policing, 705 00:33:00,534 --> 00:33:02,100 and the ordinance is very clear about 706 00:33:02,100 --> 00:33:03,601 how we're supposed to be careful 707 00:33:03,601 --> 00:33:06,367 and deliberate about reaching out to all corners of the city. 708 00:33:06,367 --> 00:33:07,767 -I hear what you're saying about listening 709 00:33:07,767 --> 00:33:09,267 to these different voices. 710 00:33:09,267 --> 00:33:10,934 Talk to me about that other part, 711 00:33:10,934 --> 00:33:12,300 about amplifying those voices, 712 00:33:12,300 --> 00:33:14,601 because that's an important part of this, too. 713 00:33:14,601 --> 00:33:16,400 -It definitely is. 714 00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:19,267 So this is an example of where the commission themselves 715 00:33:19,267 --> 00:33:21,267 and the commissioners and what they do 716 00:33:21,267 --> 00:33:24,067 really can be an opportunity to amplify those voices. 717 00:33:24,067 --> 00:33:28,200 So CPC commission meetings are held in public settings. 718 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:31,434 They're open to the public, they're publicized online. 719 00:33:31,434 --> 00:33:32,601 Anyone can watch them 720 00:33:32,601 --> 00:33:34,567 and watch what the commissioners are doing. 721 00:33:34,567 --> 00:33:38,067 And so that's a place where we can make these voices louder. 722 00:33:38,067 --> 00:33:39,701 We can bring community members 723 00:33:39,701 --> 00:33:42,300 such as what happened in January. 724 00:33:42,300 --> 00:33:43,834 The CPC had a meeting 725 00:33:43,834 --> 00:33:45,834 that was about small-business owners, 726 00:33:45,834 --> 00:33:47,634 and they were from different parts of the city, 727 00:33:47,634 --> 00:33:48,968 a very diverse group. 728 00:33:48,968 --> 00:33:50,634 And this was an example of amplifying 729 00:33:50,634 --> 00:33:52,667 the voice of just one group 730 00:33:52,667 --> 00:33:55,167 to the public setting of our CPC meetings. 731 00:33:55,167 --> 00:33:56,167 -Thank you for that. 732 00:33:56,167 --> 00:33:57,234 And you're going down a path 733 00:33:57,234 --> 00:33:59,033 that I'd like to continue here with you. 734 00:33:59,033 --> 00:34:01,234 If you could share some other situations maybe 735 00:34:01,234 --> 00:34:03,300 where you were instrumental in amplifying 736 00:34:03,300 --> 00:34:05,467 the voice of a community to influence 737 00:34:05,467 --> 00:34:07,067 a specific policy or practice. 738 00:34:07,067 --> 00:34:08,834 So not only how you were carrying 739 00:34:08,834 --> 00:34:10,968 that voice of the community into the conversation, 740 00:34:10,968 --> 00:34:12,934 but how did that influence people 741 00:34:12,934 --> 00:34:14,968 and how did that change the minds of people 742 00:34:14,968 --> 00:34:16,501 when it comes to a certain policy? 743 00:34:16,501 --> 00:34:18,734 Take us through that if you could. 744 00:34:18,734 --> 00:34:20,901 -Sure. Well, I have a couple of examples. 745 00:34:20,901 --> 00:34:22,300 One is from the state level 746 00:34:22,300 --> 00:34:24,701 and the other one is much more recent. 747 00:34:24,701 --> 00:34:27,701 So, at the state level in the 2023 legislative session 748 00:34:27,701 --> 00:34:31,100 that happened earlier this year, between January and March, 749 00:34:31,100 --> 00:34:33,968 I was trying to connect the work with the CPC, 750 00:34:33,968 --> 00:34:36,100 which is focused on Seattle, 751 00:34:36,100 --> 00:34:38,734 to what's happening in terms of police reform 752 00:34:38,734 --> 00:34:39,767 at the state level. 753 00:34:39,767 --> 00:34:41,234 It affects Seattle somewhat. 754 00:34:41,234 --> 00:34:42,868 We're still under a consent decree. 755 00:34:42,868 --> 00:34:44,100 However, there are important changes 756 00:34:44,100 --> 00:34:45,734 that a state legislator was looking at 757 00:34:45,734 --> 00:34:48,367 that we might still be affected by at some point in the future. 758 00:34:48,367 --> 00:34:51,434 So I wanted to make sure that the CPC was at that table. 759 00:34:51,434 --> 00:34:55,667 And so in my role I was making presentations to the CPC 760 00:34:55,667 --> 00:34:57,567 about what was happening with the legislature 761 00:34:57,567 --> 00:35:00,067 in terms of police practices, what was important 762 00:35:00,067 --> 00:35:02,767 to some of our specific accountability partners 763 00:35:02,767 --> 00:35:04,968 or others that we work with -- for example, 764 00:35:04,968 --> 00:35:06,934 the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability 765 00:35:06,934 --> 00:35:08,267 or ACLU of Washington. 766 00:35:08,267 --> 00:35:09,667 We have some overlap 767 00:35:09,667 --> 00:35:11,501 and shared interest in some of the legislation 768 00:35:11,501 --> 00:35:13,400 that was going through the state at that time. 769 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:16,400 And so what I did was try to educate the commissioners. 770 00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:19,434 And again, because we have these open meetings, by extension, 771 00:35:19,434 --> 00:35:21,868 educate the public -- What are these laws, 772 00:35:21,868 --> 00:35:24,133 what was being proposed, what was it looking like? 773 00:35:24,133 --> 00:35:28,100 Were legislators in Olympia interested in more police reform 774 00:35:28,100 --> 00:35:29,767 or were they trying to hold back? 775 00:35:29,767 --> 00:35:32,133 And so that was one example of using this 776 00:35:32,133 --> 00:35:33,934 to amplify voice of the community, 777 00:35:33,934 --> 00:35:36,167 and most importantly, educate the community 778 00:35:36,167 --> 00:35:37,934 and help connect them with what's happening 779 00:35:37,934 --> 00:35:39,567 in someplace that seems far away 780 00:35:39,567 --> 00:35:41,534 but could have a lot of impact. 781 00:35:41,534 --> 00:35:44,067 Another one was, just happened very recently, 782 00:35:44,067 --> 00:35:45,834 and again illustrates the importance 783 00:35:45,834 --> 00:35:47,434 of having our public meetings. 784 00:35:47,434 --> 00:35:50,901 So you may remember in the news there was some coverage 785 00:35:50,901 --> 00:35:55,267 of basically footage from 2021 in the East Precinct. 786 00:35:55,267 --> 00:35:57,067 There was a number of inappropriate 787 00:35:57,067 --> 00:35:59,534 and disturbing things that were put up there 788 00:35:59,534 --> 00:36:01,868 that was very upsetting to community members. 789 00:36:01,868 --> 00:36:04,434 And so we utilized the commissioners -- 790 00:36:04,434 --> 00:36:06,634 and again, executive director is supporting that work -- 791 00:36:06,634 --> 00:36:08,334 we utilized this public space 792 00:36:08,334 --> 00:36:11,234 to bring Chief Diaz to discuss publicly 793 00:36:11,234 --> 00:36:14,467 what they were doing about these disturbing images, 794 00:36:14,467 --> 00:36:18,267 as well as bring the mother of someone who had had -- 795 00:36:18,267 --> 00:36:21,367 it was a fake tombstone that was up in the East Precinct -- 796 00:36:21,367 --> 00:36:22,701 bring the mother of that person 797 00:36:22,701 --> 00:36:25,367 to talk about the effect of this on her. 798 00:36:25,367 --> 00:36:29,367 So these are two examples of how we can be 799 00:36:29,367 --> 00:36:31,267 and the CPC is potentially very instrumental 800 00:36:31,267 --> 00:36:33,100 in amplifying the voice of the community -- 801 00:36:33,100 --> 00:36:35,400 getting stories out, getting heard, 802 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:37,767 because the media was very interested in the latter story. 803 00:36:37,767 --> 00:36:39,100 The media was a little bit less interested 804 00:36:39,100 --> 00:36:40,400 in the legislative side, 805 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:42,300 but they were very interested in the latter story 806 00:36:42,300 --> 00:36:43,834 that took place right here in Seattle 807 00:36:43,834 --> 00:36:46,234 and had a lot of importance to the community. 808 00:36:46,234 --> 00:36:47,501 -Both important stories. 809 00:36:47,501 --> 00:36:49,400 Can you take me next-level with it, Cali? 810 00:36:49,400 --> 00:36:51,434 Can you talk about a situation there 811 00:36:51,434 --> 00:36:53,267 where a policy has actually changed 812 00:36:53,267 --> 00:36:56,300 because of the work you've done to amplify voices? 813 00:36:56,300 --> 00:36:59,000 -Well, I have not been here very long. 814 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:01,701 This the whole process of working through policies 815 00:37:01,701 --> 00:37:04,634 with the Seattle Police Department takes a long time. 816 00:37:04,634 --> 00:37:07,501 This is not something that can happen turning on a dime, 817 00:37:07,501 --> 00:37:09,434 but a lot of what the CPC does -- 818 00:37:09,434 --> 00:37:12,033 because we don't have investigatory powers 819 00:37:12,033 --> 00:37:13,901 like our partners in OPA or OIG -- 820 00:37:13,901 --> 00:37:15,634 what we have is a voice. 821 00:37:15,634 --> 00:37:17,734 What we have is potentially a bully pulpit. 822 00:37:17,734 --> 00:37:20,334 We can bring voices up and make them public 823 00:37:20,334 --> 00:37:22,467 and get public attention through the work 824 00:37:22,467 --> 00:37:23,901 that our commissioners do. 825 00:37:23,901 --> 00:37:27,100 Talking to the media, writing op-eds 826 00:37:27,100 --> 00:37:28,667 as they've done earlier this year, 827 00:37:28,667 --> 00:37:31,601 writing letters and making them public back and forth with SPD 828 00:37:31,601 --> 00:37:33,067 and the Seattle Fire Department. 829 00:37:33,067 --> 00:37:36,767 All of these things are examples of amplifying voices, 830 00:37:36,767 --> 00:37:38,767 at least to get the discussion started, 831 00:37:38,767 --> 00:37:39,901 have a public discussion 832 00:37:39,901 --> 00:37:41,434 about what changes in policy might look like, 833 00:37:41,434 --> 00:37:44,200 because they do take quite some time to come into place. 834 00:37:44,200 --> 00:37:45,200 -Thank you. 835 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:46,534 Moving on to our next question here, 836 00:37:46,534 --> 00:37:49,701 the CPC executive director is accountable for leading 837 00:37:49,701 --> 00:37:52,567 and managing staff to fulfill the CPC's purpose. 838 00:37:52,567 --> 00:37:54,200 I want to make sure we gain more insight 839 00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:56,400 into your administrative management. 840 00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:57,801 It's a three-part question here. 841 00:37:57,801 --> 00:38:00,501 The first one -- How do you prioritize and delegate work 842 00:38:00,501 --> 00:38:02,033 within the office? 843 00:38:02,033 --> 00:38:03,267 -Sure. 844 00:38:03,267 --> 00:38:05,234 One of the things that's important to know about me 845 00:38:05,234 --> 00:38:06,334 as I seek this position 846 00:38:06,334 --> 00:38:08,367 is that my background is in academia. 847 00:38:08,367 --> 00:38:10,167 I was formerly a college professor 848 00:38:10,167 --> 00:38:13,133 and I was teaching masters of public administration students. 849 00:38:13,133 --> 00:38:14,801 So my pivot into this current role 850 00:38:14,801 --> 00:38:16,501 as interim executive director, 851 00:38:16,501 --> 00:38:19,000 all of my administrative and management experience 852 00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:21,133 has been in the CPC itself. 853 00:38:21,133 --> 00:38:22,901 So I've had the opportunity to learn a lot 854 00:38:22,901 --> 00:38:25,734 about running a city agency in Seattle specifically. 855 00:38:25,734 --> 00:38:27,234 There's a lot of unique aspects of that, 856 00:38:27,234 --> 00:38:29,601 and this has been very helpful for me to learn that. 857 00:38:29,601 --> 00:38:32,801 So what I've learned is about managing a city agency 858 00:38:32,801 --> 00:38:35,334 with respect to the City Budget Office, 859 00:38:35,334 --> 00:38:36,701 Human Resources office, 860 00:38:36,701 --> 00:38:38,901 working with the mayor's office, City Council and others 861 00:38:38,901 --> 00:38:41,467 that actually help make the agency run. 862 00:38:41,467 --> 00:38:43,767 So in terms of prioritizing and delegating work 863 00:38:43,767 --> 00:38:45,567 amongst the staff, it's really important to know 864 00:38:45,567 --> 00:38:48,067 that we are a small and mighty team. 865 00:38:48,067 --> 00:38:50,667 We are the smallest of all of the oversight agencies 866 00:38:50,667 --> 00:38:51,901 by quite a bit, 867 00:38:51,901 --> 00:38:54,601 and so we have a lot to do under the ordinance. 868 00:38:54,601 --> 00:38:56,567 However, we all work very effectively together. 869 00:38:56,567 --> 00:38:59,334 The community engagement team, our policy team, 870 00:38:59,334 --> 00:39:00,734 our communications team, 871 00:39:00,734 --> 00:39:03,667 the executive director all have different roles to play. 872 00:39:03,667 --> 00:39:06,601 And so that's what I see when different things come up. 873 00:39:06,601 --> 00:39:07,834 Some of them are expected. 874 00:39:07,834 --> 00:39:11,267 We have deadlines with regard to City Council 875 00:39:11,267 --> 00:39:13,234 or other things that we know, 876 00:39:13,234 --> 00:39:14,801 but there's other things that are unexpected 877 00:39:14,801 --> 00:39:18,400 that we have to be very swift in our response to. 878 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:20,834 And so we really try to work together 879 00:39:20,834 --> 00:39:22,467 in terms of how we delegate tasks 880 00:39:22,467 --> 00:39:24,300 to the people that can do it best 881 00:39:24,300 --> 00:39:26,367 as well as help each other when we need it. 882 00:39:26,367 --> 00:39:28,801 -Got it. And separating it into different teams. 883 00:39:28,801 --> 00:39:30,567 Sounds like that's the way you approach this too, 884 00:39:30,567 --> 00:39:32,834 having people take on those different parts of it. 885 00:39:32,834 --> 00:39:34,667 -Yes, definitely. -Thank you. 886 00:39:34,667 --> 00:39:36,300 I'll move on to the second piece here -- 887 00:39:36,300 --> 00:39:38,667 supporting employee morale and engagement. 888 00:39:38,667 --> 00:39:40,734 How do you do that? 889 00:39:40,734 --> 00:39:42,434 -Yeah, this is, again, where being 890 00:39:42,434 --> 00:39:44,133 a small team is very helpful. 891 00:39:44,133 --> 00:39:46,834 So the CPC -- and in any organization 892 00:39:46,834 --> 00:39:48,501 that I would be working with I would do the same thing -- 893 00:39:48,501 --> 00:39:51,434 is having regular meetings where we get to know each other. 894 00:39:51,434 --> 00:39:52,968 The work of the community engagement team 895 00:39:52,968 --> 00:39:54,567 can be very, very different. 896 00:39:54,567 --> 00:39:56,567 They're out in the community, they're meeting with people. 897 00:39:56,567 --> 00:39:59,200 Then the work of the policy team, who deals with laws 898 00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:01,033 and is often at the computer. 899 00:40:01,033 --> 00:40:02,901 So we want to make sure that we all understand 900 00:40:02,901 --> 00:40:04,734 what everyone's doing on the team, 901 00:40:04,734 --> 00:40:06,801 and that really helps to work through morale. 902 00:40:06,801 --> 00:40:09,767 Especially for all agencies that work in police oversight, 903 00:40:09,767 --> 00:40:11,767 this is a difficult topic to work in. 904 00:40:11,767 --> 00:40:15,334 There can be very serious and demoralizing challenges. 905 00:40:15,334 --> 00:40:17,968 For example, the situation in East Precinct. 906 00:40:17,968 --> 00:40:19,601 However, morale is really helpful 907 00:40:19,601 --> 00:40:21,801 because we're working towards the same goal. 908 00:40:21,801 --> 00:40:23,167 We come up with goals together 909 00:40:23,167 --> 00:40:25,033 that are inspired by the ordinance 910 00:40:25,033 --> 00:40:26,801 but also inspired by the strengths 911 00:40:26,801 --> 00:40:29,100 that each and every member brings to the team. 912 00:40:29,100 --> 00:40:30,100 -Thank you. 913 00:40:30,100 --> 00:40:31,367 Moving on to this last piece here -- 914 00:40:31,367 --> 00:40:33,067 growing and developing staff. 915 00:40:33,067 --> 00:40:34,434 Let's talk about that piece of it 916 00:40:34,434 --> 00:40:36,868 in terms of your administrative management. 917 00:40:36,868 --> 00:40:38,234 -Yes, well, again, 918 00:40:38,234 --> 00:40:40,934 my background as a teacher and an educator really helps 919 00:40:40,934 --> 00:40:43,300 because I want to encourage everyone to grow 920 00:40:43,300 --> 00:40:44,901 and develop into their best potential, 921 00:40:44,901 --> 00:40:47,501 not just for the purposes of helping the team, 922 00:40:47,501 --> 00:40:50,234 but also for what they want out of their careers. 923 00:40:50,234 --> 00:40:52,234 So I support and encourage any staff 924 00:40:52,234 --> 00:40:53,567 that wants to expand their skills 925 00:40:53,567 --> 00:40:56,067 through the very wide diversity of programs 926 00:40:56,067 --> 00:40:57,767 that the city of Seattle provides, 927 00:40:57,767 --> 00:40:59,767 as well as external programs, 928 00:40:59,767 --> 00:41:01,501 external trainings or conferences 929 00:41:01,501 --> 00:41:03,167 that might be helpful for them. 930 00:41:03,167 --> 00:41:05,100 In terms of teamwork, all of our staff, 931 00:41:05,100 --> 00:41:06,634 the entire staff goes to 932 00:41:06,634 --> 00:41:08,801 the National Association of Civilian Oversight 933 00:41:08,801 --> 00:41:10,968 of Law Enforcement Conference every year, 934 00:41:10,968 --> 00:41:13,067 and we're looking forward to going to that conference 935 00:41:13,067 --> 00:41:14,367 in Chicago in October. 936 00:41:14,367 --> 00:41:16,667 This is where we can collaborate with other people 937 00:41:16,667 --> 00:41:18,834 doing civilian oversight in different ways 938 00:41:18,834 --> 00:41:22,067 and learn from them as well as get to know them. 939 00:41:22,067 --> 00:41:24,267 So this is something that I think is critically important. 940 00:41:24,267 --> 00:41:25,968 This comes from my background as an educator, 941 00:41:25,968 --> 00:41:27,567 but I always want people to learn 942 00:41:27,567 --> 00:41:28,901 and have the opportunity to learn 943 00:41:28,901 --> 00:41:30,400 and be supported in learning. 944 00:41:30,400 --> 00:41:31,934 -Thank you, our final question here, 945 00:41:31,934 --> 00:41:33,400 let me put it to you this way. 946 00:41:33,400 --> 00:41:35,234 What do you see as most critical 947 00:41:35,234 --> 00:41:37,834 in the CPC executive director's relationship 948 00:41:37,834 --> 00:41:39,367 with the inspector general 949 00:41:39,367 --> 00:41:42,300 and the director of the Office of Police Accountability? 950 00:41:42,300 --> 00:41:43,968 And also, how would you facilitate 951 00:41:43,968 --> 00:41:45,167 a community conversation 952 00:41:45,167 --> 00:41:48,000 about the work of police accountability partners? 953 00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:49,334 Maybe you can split it into two there. 954 00:41:49,334 --> 00:41:51,601 I wanted to make sure I talked about the relationship 955 00:41:51,601 --> 00:41:52,901 with the inspector general 956 00:41:52,901 --> 00:41:55,501 and the Office of Police Accountability. 957 00:41:55,501 --> 00:41:56,868 -Sure, of course. Yeah. 958 00:41:56,868 --> 00:41:59,467 We are three parts of the same stool -- 959 00:41:59,467 --> 00:42:01,033 the CPC, OIG, and OPA. 960 00:42:01,033 --> 00:42:04,834 And the ordinance, again, this is really what I'm focused on, 961 00:42:04,834 --> 00:42:06,567 sort of tells us what we should do. 962 00:42:06,567 --> 00:42:09,834 It doesn't tell us how to do it, but it says what our roles are. 963 00:42:09,834 --> 00:42:13,200 So this was, again, designed to build an accountability system 964 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,067 with strengths of civilian-led misconduct investigations -- 965 00:42:16,067 --> 00:42:19,234 that's with OPA -- as well as an independent inspector general -- 966 00:42:19,234 --> 00:42:23,334 that's OIG -- and a strong community-based oversight. 967 00:42:23,334 --> 00:42:25,367 This is something that's very unique about Seattle 968 00:42:25,367 --> 00:42:27,367 and something that makes makes it more challenging, 969 00:42:27,367 --> 00:42:30,501 but also makes Seattle really a leader nationwide. 970 00:42:30,501 --> 00:42:32,968 So this is something that was written into the ordinance, 971 00:42:32,968 --> 00:42:34,400 something that is very important for me 972 00:42:34,400 --> 00:42:35,701 when I think about my relationships 973 00:42:35,701 --> 00:42:37,534 with the accountability partners. 974 00:42:37,534 --> 00:42:39,834 So they both have different strengths. 975 00:42:39,834 --> 00:42:44,234 The OPA and OIG, Seattle has valued and qualified partners 976 00:42:44,234 --> 00:42:46,534 to do the critical work in investigations about 977 00:42:46,534 --> 00:42:50,033 potential police misconduct and auditing the overall system 978 00:42:50,033 --> 00:42:52,067 to ensure it meets the intended goals. 979 00:42:52,067 --> 00:42:54,901 And OPA and OIG have taken strong steps already 980 00:42:54,901 --> 00:42:57,100 to address concerns about police violence -- 981 00:42:57,100 --> 00:43:00,300 for example, the OIG Sentinel Event Reviews 982 00:43:00,300 --> 00:43:02,400 of 2020 protests in Seattle and the police violence 983 00:43:02,400 --> 00:43:04,934 that occurred against community members there. 984 00:43:04,934 --> 00:43:08,000 But the community voice is not necessarily central 985 00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:10,968 to their work in the ordinance or in practice. 986 00:43:10,968 --> 00:43:12,367 So the difficult challenges 987 00:43:12,367 --> 00:43:14,167 of having a robust system of oversight 988 00:43:14,167 --> 00:43:17,167 that effectively manages cases of police misconduct 989 00:43:17,167 --> 00:43:19,434 while respecting legal personnel processes 990 00:43:19,434 --> 00:43:22,234 requires the dedicated attention of staff 991 00:43:22,234 --> 00:43:23,901 who are focused on accurate 992 00:43:23,901 --> 00:43:26,200 and timely investigations of personnel. 993 00:43:26,200 --> 00:43:28,667 So where I see the CPC fitting in is 994 00:43:28,667 --> 00:43:30,234 because the ordinance says 995 00:43:30,234 --> 00:43:32,400 we are the ones that are supposed to have that voice. 996 00:43:32,400 --> 00:43:34,133 We are the ones that are supposed to 997 00:43:34,133 --> 00:43:36,467 specifically do outreach to community. 998 00:43:36,467 --> 00:43:39,300 And what's important is that, as I mentioned before, 999 00:43:39,300 --> 00:43:42,801 it is not in the ordinance specifically about violence 1000 00:43:42,801 --> 00:43:44,934 by police against community members. 1001 00:43:44,934 --> 00:43:47,400 We are tasked in the ordinance to reach out 1002 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:49,634 and learn about all of the concerns about policing 1003 00:43:49,634 --> 00:43:52,167 from the wide variety of communities in Seattle. 1004 00:43:52,167 --> 00:43:54,534 And that's really where I think our strength is 1005 00:43:54,534 --> 00:43:56,300 as part of the system. 1006 00:43:56,300 --> 00:43:58,033 So in terms of education 1007 00:43:58,033 --> 00:44:00,300 and facilitating community conversations, 1008 00:44:00,300 --> 00:44:03,434 this is something that is very important, 1009 00:44:03,434 --> 00:44:05,734 and I think it's very important as an educational piece -- 1010 00:44:05,734 --> 00:44:07,234 getting back to education -- 1011 00:44:07,234 --> 00:44:10,000 because I think there's sometimes a lack of clarity 1012 00:44:10,000 --> 00:44:12,133 in the community about who does what 1013 00:44:12,133 --> 00:44:14,067 and what this accountability system looks like. 1014 00:44:14,067 --> 00:44:18,834 For example, the CPC does not have any investigatory powers. 1015 00:44:18,834 --> 00:44:20,667 We can't do subpoenas. 1016 00:44:20,667 --> 00:44:24,133 There's nothing we can do when police misconduct happens. 1017 00:44:24,133 --> 00:44:26,868 That's something that we would refer over to OPA. 1018 00:44:26,868 --> 00:44:29,000 So I think helping the community understand 1019 00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:30,634 what these different pieces look like 1020 00:44:30,634 --> 00:44:32,734 and how we work together is very important. 1021 00:44:32,734 --> 00:44:34,501 There have been events in the past. 1022 00:44:34,501 --> 00:44:36,634 For example, last year, I wasn't part of it, 1023 00:44:36,634 --> 00:44:39,767 but there was an event that was facilitated by clergy 1024 00:44:39,767 --> 00:44:41,701 where all three of the accountability partners 1025 00:44:41,701 --> 00:44:44,167 came together to take community questions 1026 00:44:44,167 --> 00:44:45,934 and to discuss what this might look like. 1027 00:44:45,934 --> 00:44:47,634 And I think there might be another one coming up 1028 00:44:47,634 --> 00:44:50,734 later this year, facilitated by the NAACP, 1029 00:44:50,734 --> 00:44:52,434 which would also do the same thing. 1030 00:44:52,434 --> 00:44:54,434 This is both an opportunity for education 1031 00:44:54,434 --> 00:44:57,400 and then to take community questions directly 1032 00:44:57,400 --> 00:44:59,400 and make sure they land in the appropriate place. 1033 00:44:59,400 --> 00:45:00,467 -Thank you. 1034 00:45:00,467 --> 00:45:02,534 That town hall type of atmosphere 1035 00:45:02,534 --> 00:45:03,934 is what I'm hearing here. 1036 00:45:03,934 --> 00:45:05,868 Are there other ways to try to make sure you're engaging 1037 00:45:05,868 --> 00:45:08,000 and getting that community awareness out there 1038 00:45:08,000 --> 00:45:10,067 about the three-legged stool you're talking about here 1039 00:45:10,067 --> 00:45:12,601 with police accountability partners? 1040 00:45:12,601 --> 00:45:13,934 -Yes. 1041 00:45:13,934 --> 00:45:15,934 One of the things that I did as part of my role 1042 00:45:15,934 --> 00:45:19,400 as interim executive director is I did a video series. 1043 00:45:19,400 --> 00:45:20,868 It's all on the CPC website, 1044 00:45:20,868 --> 00:45:22,734 although I think it could belong anywhere, 1045 00:45:22,734 --> 00:45:24,467 that talks about the ordinance itself 1046 00:45:24,467 --> 00:45:27,934 and where the CPC fits in as well as our partners. 1047 00:45:27,934 --> 00:45:30,767 I think it's very important to understand that we are here 1048 00:45:30,767 --> 00:45:32,467 because of the wishes 1049 00:45:32,467 --> 00:45:35,067 and desires of City Council in 2017, 1050 00:45:35,067 --> 00:45:36,767 when they made the accountability ordinance, 1051 00:45:36,767 --> 00:45:39,834 as well as the most recent changes they made in 2023. 1052 00:45:39,834 --> 00:45:42,601 And so we're very much driven by what that says. 1053 00:45:42,601 --> 00:45:44,868 That's what sort of tells us what to do. 1054 00:45:44,868 --> 00:45:46,534 So this is a short video series. 1055 00:45:46,534 --> 00:45:48,167 Each one is about a minute long 1056 00:45:48,167 --> 00:45:51,667 and it talks about what we do, 1057 00:45:51,667 --> 00:45:53,801 why we do it, and how we might fit in. 1058 00:45:53,801 --> 00:45:56,100 I think it would be wonderful to have such a video series 1059 00:45:56,100 --> 00:45:58,400 expanded to include the role of OIG 1060 00:45:58,400 --> 00:46:00,200 and the inspector general discussing it, 1061 00:46:00,200 --> 00:46:02,834 as well as the OPA director as well. 1062 00:46:02,834 --> 00:46:05,334 -Well, thank you very much for all of this, Cali. 1063 00:46:05,334 --> 00:46:07,167 I really appreciate you joining us. 1064 00:46:07,167 --> 00:46:09,033 The Community Police Commission 1065 00:46:09,033 --> 00:46:10,834 will be selecting the executive director 1066 00:46:10,834 --> 00:46:13,334 during their regular August 16th meeting. 1067 00:46:13,334 --> 00:46:14,801 The meeting notice can be found 1068 00:46:14,801 --> 00:46:17,567 on the Community Police Commission website. 1069 00:46:17,567 --> 00:46:19,968 The Community Police Commission is interested 1070 00:46:19,968 --> 00:46:22,267 in hearing your feedback regarding the selection 1071 00:46:22,267 --> 00:46:24,100 of the executive director. 1072 00:46:24,100 --> 00:46:27,367 You are invited to provide your feedback with CPC 1073 00:46:27,367 --> 00:46:29,734 via the link you see on your screen. 1074 00:46:29,734 --> 00:46:31,234 I'm Brian Callanan. 1075 00:46:31,234 --> 00:46:33,801 Thank you for joining us here on the Seattle Channel.