News Councilmember Burgess Asks OPARB Member to Re-Interview for Job
posted by on March 5 at 14:04 PM
City Councilmember Tim Burgess has put out a call for applicants to the Council’s Office of Professional Accountability Review Board (OPARB)—the Council’s police accountability oversight group—and has asked current OPARB member Sheley Secrest to re-interview for her position.
Secrest says Burgess called her three weeks ago to inform her she’d have to reapply. “He told me I have 50/50 chance,” she says.
This is the first time a board member has been asked to reapply for their job. Previously, Review Board members had been allowed to serve three consecutive two-year terms on the board without re-interviewing.
If Secrest kept her job, she would be the only member of the current Review Board to carry over to the new OPARB. Review Board Chair Peter Holmes’ third and final term ends in April, and Brad Moericke is stepping down to focus on his work as an attorney. Secrest’s current term is up, but she’s eligible to serve at least two more years on the board.
The Mayor’s Police Accountability panel has recommended OPARB’s board be expanded but to do that, the City would have to negotiate a deal with the Police Guild.
A lack of consistency could hurt OPARB, who’s already been handicapped by a suit by the Police Guild, which barred the board from accessing unredacted internal investigation files.
There are two two-year terms, and one one-year term open on the Review Board. OPARB holds two monthly meetings and members receive a monthly $400 stipend.
Applications are being received through March 28, 2008 at 5 p.m.
Applications should include a resume and cover letter which explains how the individual meets the required qualifications and why they want to serve on the review board. Applicants should include three references and their contact information. Applications are due March 28, 2008, by 5:00 p.m. Applications may be mailed to Councilmember Tim Burgess, Chair, Public Safety, Human Services, and Education Committee, Seattle City Council, P. O. Box 34025, Seattle, WA 98124-4025; e-mailed to tim.burgess@seattle.gov; or faxed to 206-684-8587. If faxing, please note on a cover sheet that the materials are to be delivered to Councilmember Burgess.
Six Shooter? Ron K.? Packratt? Now’s your chance.
I'm sure this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she's a leader in the local NAACP. None whatsoever.
Actually, OPARB is supposed to have at least one political activist and one attorney—Secrest qualifies for both—on the board. I'm throwing up some more info in a bit.
Thanks for the detailed info, Jonah, and the subtle jab.
But hey, I'll send in an application and I'll let you know what happens.
...of course, if I got the gig I probably wouldn't be able to blog about police misconduct anymore... it would be unethical and would probably go against their non-disclosure contract that all OPARB members must sign.
Of course... it's not like I do a good job of blogging.
I dig your blog, Packratt.
Shucks, thanks for the support Anon, I appreciate it!
Like I want that job. Maybe if the OPARB had some teeth.
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