Trust me, the Spokane Police Guild as well as the Lieutenants and Captains Association didn’t underestimate anything when they agreed to a contract clause that established the Office of Police Ombudsman Commission for Mayor Condon’s “National Model of Police Oversight”.
Yup, the Unions knew full well that any civilian review commission or board would end up exactly like they all have in the past, a political quagmire with an inability to accomplish anything, and yes folks that is exactly where the OPOC and the OPO are today, in a political quagmire where the Mayor, and City Council can’t figure out how to get rid of OPOC Chair Debra Conklin despite a number of complaints about her conduct and attempts to completely dominate an oversight panel in the interest of forwarding her own agenda and ideology.
In the case of Rachel Dolezal fear of alienating the African American Community prevented movement on the part of the politicians to do the right thing, and we all know what great national headlines that resulted in. In the case of her replacement Chair Debra Conklin some politicians are in great fear of alienating Debra Conklin’s very Liberal followers and a voting block they need to get re-elected.
Documents which include electronic interaction between Conklin and Councilpersons paint the ugly picture, as does other communications responsive to my Public Records Request which I submitted back in May 2017 and have yet to receive.
Conklin’s disdain for OPO Bart Logue is very well known throughout City Hall as well as among many of Conklin’s followers. Her disdain for Logue likely not only stems from his military background but also from the fact the Conklin was unable to get her guy Canadian Raheel Humayun the job.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/apr/22/spokane-police-ombudsman-search-to-start-over-afte/
https://www.inlander.com/spokane/man-in-the-middle/Content?oid=2771558
https://examplepro.me/2015/11/04/only-in-spokane/
“Commission chair Deb Conklin said offering interim ombudsman Bart Logue the permanent job would run counter to the city ordinance, but that he will be encouraged to apply.”
Conklin’s demeanor during the OPOC meetings when discussion turned to re-opening the search for an OPO when her guy couldn’t get a US Visa and her statement that only “Second Tier” candidates would apply pretty much says it all… she considered Logue who was interim OPO at the time “Second Tier”, despite the fact that both Mayor Condon and Council President Stuckart recommended the OPOC hire Logue.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/apr/04/condon-stuckart-urge-commission-to-keep-interim-om/
In character when it comes to law and ordinances, including the Public Records Act, Conklin wanted to tweak the OPO Ordinance to get her guy Humayun the job.
“Commission Chairwoman Deb Conklin suggested tweaking Humayun’s visa application and having him apply again at the Canadian border, an action recommended by an immigration attorney who has consulted with the commission.”
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/mar/21/visa-request-of-man-picked-to-be-spokane-police-om/
Even though Logue was eventually appointed to the OPO job, when Conklin figured out his appointment was inevitable she of course still got her shot in at Logue by articulating her preference for MacConnell… no surprise there!
“Four commissioners voted unanimously to offer Logue the job, though before the vote, commission chair Deb Conklin said she thought the other candidate, former Phoenix police officer Jacquelyn MacConnell, was stronger.”
“She’s a person who comes with a lot of creativity and energy and a willingness to think outside the box,” Conklin said.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/sep/06/logue-wins-job-as-permanent-police-ombudsman/
So, What’s the Latest?
As the email exchange below clearly demonstrates Logue has decided to take the high road in the interest of trying to not make Spokane Police Oversight a complete joke.
I have lots more coming on this issue including the requirements set forth in the Nissen v Pierce County case where the Washington State Supreme Court directed the Pierce County Prosecutor to obtain transcripts via his carrier Version and turn them over to Pierce County. What say you Mr. Ormsby?
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/20681d2c-7380-4e99-9e01-e779dfc538bf
About the only thing Debra Conklin and I have in common is we were both born in January, and admittedly although I can be “Nasty” at times, I think I’m more of a Curmudgeon than just outright “Nasty”. Having said that, I did try and find an image of a t-shirt that said “Never Underestimate A Nasty Man Who Was Born In January” to include with this story but I was unable to find one so if anyone has one please pass it along! 😊
Buffalo Brian Breen 