Police department consultants wrap up interviews with Bainbridge officers

Officials with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs have wrapped up their visit to Bainbridge Island as part of their review of the city's police department.

Interim Public Safety Directory Larry Dickerson briefed the city's Civil Service Commission on the outside assessment at the commission's last meeting.

Dickerson told commissioners that representative's from the association's Loaned Executive Management Assistance Program visited Bainbridge on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10.

During the visit on the first day, Dickerson said, the representatives spent an entire day reviewing the Bainbridge police department's policies and procedures. They also looked at the department's evidence area and records room, and interviewed the department's lieutenants, officers and civilian staff.

Dickerson met with the review group on Thursday, Jan. 10 for an exit interview.

"I think it's going to be a very interesting process," Dickerson told commissioners. "There's going to be a lot of things we'll have to do, probably, in the department to make things even more efficient and better."

"And that's the goal of it. We don't want to hear just good things. We want to hear the problems," he said.

Dickerson said he expects that by the time the city's new police chief comes on board, the head of the department will have a checklist to see the department's progress on the results of the review.

The city council agreed in November to have the assessment conducted.

A report of findings and recommendations is expected within two months from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the assessment is expected to cost the city between $5,000 and $7,000.

Some on the council are pressing for a more comprehensive review of the police department.

The council is expected to review a proposal to hire an outside consultant for a comprehensive study of the police department later this month.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Editor Brian Kelly at editor@bainbridgereview.com or 1-206-842-6613.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.