The Eugene Police Commission will discuss Tuesday night’s passage of the external police review ballot measure and consider the possible next steps at its meeting this evening.
The Police Commission recommended an external police review program to the City Council in July after more than 15 months of research. The recommendation called for an independent auditor to be hired by the City Council. The ballot measure authorizes the City Council to hire the auditor, a responsibility previously held by the city manager. The measure passed with 57 percent of the vote.
The council must now implement the plan recommended by the commission.
The commission will discuss the outcome of the election and what steps will be taken next at the meeting this evening.
“We’re going to look at presenting a more concrete plan to the City Council and offer them any assistance we can,” Police Commission Coordinator Jeannine Parisi said.
Though the review system is now in the hands of the City Council, Parisi is expecting the Police Commission to have a role.
“There’s a ton of work to do, Parisi said. “The city council will want all the support it can get, it has a lot on its plate.”
The Police Commission recommendation is being used as the starting point for discussions of a review system, and Parisi hopes the council will stay close to the commission’s recommendations.
“The council has to make a decision on how to use the authority they’ve been given,” Parisi said. “The Police Commission hopes it will be consistent with what the Police Commission proposed.”
The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. in the McNutt Room at Eugene City Hall at 777 Pearl St.
-Chris Hagan