SPOKANE VALLEY – In a recent City Council meeting, Spokane Valley residents and officials gathered to delve into the intricacies of the city’s law enforcement system.
Key speakers, including city manager Erik Lamb and Richard Grady from Matrix Consulting Group, shed light on the current state of law enforcement and proposed strategic changes.
Lamb highlighted the existing framework, emphasizing the historical reliance on a contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Lamb noted past adjustments, such as the elimination of corporals in 2014 and the establishment of a dedicated Investigative Unit targeting property and drug crime.
Matrix Consulting Group, with over two decades of experience in law enforcement studies, presented their fact-based approach.
Grady, a project manager for Matrix Consulting Group, outlined their methodology, which involved extensive data analytics, staff input through interviews and surveys, and active engagement with the community.
“Our scope of work, first of all, is to fully understand the workload, service levels, deployments, staffing, organization of our law enforcement services in Spokane Valley,” Grady said.
One of the central points of discussion was the need for increased patrol staffing.
Matrix Consulting recommended adding nine officers to address deficiencies in daytime coverage, aiming to achieve a proactive time of at least 45%. The importance of maintaining consistent service capabilities was emphasized throughout the day.
Matrix Consulting proposed adding two deputies for traffic enforcement and one investigative staff to handle accidents. The need for better coverage in the evenings and specialized training for fatal accident investigations was highlighted.
The presentation also addressed the Homeless Outreach and Behavioral Health Unit, recommending the addition of a deputy for a second deployment team to enhance coverage throughout the week.
Matrix Consulting suggested adding a sergeant, six detectives, and a civilian investigative analyst to the Property and Drug Crime Investigations unit, reflecting the growth in cases and the need for proactive measures.
Concerns were raised about excessive caseloads in shared resources, leading to recommendations for additional staffing in internal investigations, Major Crimes, and sex crimes.
The administration section touched upon the importance of community functions, volunteer support, and suggested the addition of staff for school safety and customer service.
In a comprehensive overview, Matrix Consulting proposed adding a total of 26 new staff members for dedicated services and an additional three for shared resources.
Questions from council members and citizens addressed concerns about domestic violence, shared officers for gangs, and the potential impact of additional officers on call volumes.
The next steps involve developing a strategy for implementation, amending agreements with the Sheriff’s Office, and addressing recruitment and training durations.
As Spokane Valley grapples with the evolving landscape of law enforcement, these recommendations aim to shape a responsive and effective police force to meet the needs of the growing community. The City Council is set to deliberate on the proposed changes in the coming sessions.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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