Bainbridge Island Police Department released a report Friday detailing its efforts to meet the recommendations of a peer assessment conducted over the winter. The Washington Association of Sheriff’s and Police Chiefs report highlighted the need for new leadership at the department and identified numerous areas in the organization where improvement was needed.
The working document released by BIPD
(and posted below) shows what actions the department is taking to
meet those recommendations and what changes are already complete.
City Manager Doug Schulze made the document available in
his weekly report, along with an update on Crisis Intervention
Team Training.
According to Schulze, 11 of the island’s 18 sworn officers have completed the 40-hour training, which prepares first responders for situations involving the mentally ill. The entire force will have received the training by the end of October, Schulze said. The need for Crisis Intervention Training was a key finding in the Ostling trial last year.
The updates come as the department prepares to transition to new leadership. Newly-hired Police Chief Matthew Hamner (pictured) is expected to start Monday. There will be a public swearing-in ceremony and reception for Hamner at 7 p.m. June 20 at City Hall. Interim Public Safety Director Larry Dickerson has led the department since last summer and will assist with the transition.
