City Of Gig Harbor Seeks Volunteers

Press release from the City of Gig Harbor:

August 17, 2020

Following the passage of Initiative 940, the Washington State Legislature passed SHB 1064 requiring all police use of force incidents which result in death, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm be investigated by an organization completely independent of the involved law enforcement agency. This new law is called the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA).

As part of this independent investigation, a non-law enforcement community representative participates as a neutral observer in the investigation process.

The Gig Harbor Police Department has joined a consortium of other law enforcement agencies within Pierce County to form the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT). In the event that one of the member agencies is involved in this type of incident, the PCFIT team (minus representatives from the involved agency) will conduct the investigation. The non-law enforcement community representative will be present at critical stages of the investigation to ensure transparency.

This is not an active investigator position and no prior skills are required. It is a non-compensated, volunteer position that serves a vital role in preserving the integrity of any investigation of this nature. Non-law enforcement community representatives will be required to sign a binding confidentiality agreement that would remain in effect until the conclusion of each specific investigation. Training will be provided for each representative.

The Gig Harbor Police Department is looking for two non-law enforcement community representatives to serve in this capacity. Gig Harbor city residency is required.

If you are interested in serving in this role, please send your letter of interest, including a brief biography describing your background and reasons why you would make a good, impartial candidate for this position via email to Josh Stecker, Assistant City Clerk at steckerj@cityofgigharbor.net.

The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 31, 2020.

If you have any questions about the nature of this position, please contact Chief Kelly Busey at buseyk@cityofgigharbor.net or (253) 851-2236.

This press release was produced by the City of Gig Harbor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.