Position Description
The City of Tacoma is seeking members of the Tacoma community willing to serve as Community Representatives on the Deadly Force Review Board (Board) on behalf of the Tacoma Police Department. Community members already a part of the Citizens' Academy (current and former) are strongly encouraged to apply.
ALERT: This is a reposting of the Volunteer Opportunity: Deadly Force Review Board recruitment posted in October 2023. If you already applied on that announcement, you do not need to reapply.The Tacoma Police Department recognizes the need to review thoroughly all applications of deadly force by its officers. The primary purpose of the Board shall be to review the investigation and determine if the application of deadly force was within Department policy. The Board may also examine significant training and equipment issues. The Board shall report its findings to the Chief of Police. These findings may include recommendations to further investigate certain aspects of the attendant circumstances.
The Board consists of six voting members and a non-voting chairperson. The six voting members consists of two management representatives, two union representatives and two members of the community. Community representatives must reside within the city limits of Tacoma. Of the community representatives, one will be selected from the specific sector where the deadly force incident occurred and on selected at-large.
This position will require the community representative to pass a department/agency background check and attend identified training that is relevant to officer involved deadly force incidents. The Non-Law Enforcement Community Representative must sign a binding confidentiality agreement at the beginning of each police use of deadly force incident investigation.
Note: this is a non-paid, volunteer position. City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
Transforming Tacoma
The Tacoma Police Department is a proud participant in Transforming Tacoma; actively working to d evelop pragmatic, specific recommendations and reforms that the Tacoma Police Department and the City of Tacoma can implement to strengthen the Tacoma Police Department’s relationship with Tacoma’s community; ensure that the Tacoma Police Department’s activities and operations are safe, just, effective, lawful, and consistent with national, best, emerging, and transformational practices. For more information about this effort, please visit the Transforming Tacoma website.
Qualifications
Community Representatives must:- Be a resident of the City of Tacoma (address will be verified it falls within the city limits)
- Satisfactorily pass a criminal background check
- Affirm their availability and commitment to serving as a member of the Deadly Force Review Board
- Attend required training established for the volunteer position
- Affirm their commitment to confidentiality
Knowledge & Skills
A Community Representative must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: - The desire and commitment to learn and understand police use of force policies and laws
- Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with members on the review board, individuals in other agencies, and members of the community
- Commitment to confidentiality and willingness to sign a binding confidentiality agreement for each police use of deadly force incident investigation
- Demonstrated ability to make sound and thoughtful decisions
- Proven ability to maintain high standards of ethics and integrity
- Experience successfully resolving disagreements and conflicts effectively
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
If you are interested, please complete the online application and submit a
letter of interest describing your background, community involvement and interest in serving as a citizen representative on behalf of the Tacoma Police Department.
Application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee. Successful candidates will be notified by the Human Resources Department and asked to complete a background check (current members of the Citizens Academy may have already satisfied this requirement).
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
Please indicate in your online application that you prefer email notification as this is the preferred method of communication with the City of Tacoma. In order to receive the most efficient communications from the City of Tacoma Human Resources Department, we recommend creating a Gmail email address for correspondence, if you don't have one already. Please use any combination of your first and last name as the email address. Ex: Smithjane@gmail.com , Janesmith@gmail.com JSmith123@gmail.com . This will assist the Human Resources Department with tracking information received during the hiring process.
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or more entering the required information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this announcement. If you experience any complications while applying, please contact Human Resources at 253.591.5400 in order for us to assist you.
If you are interested in additional information about the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Police Department, visit our websites at www.cityoftacoma.org or www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/police .
Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400.
This position does not offer benefits.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
