Council Committee Nominates New OPA Review Board Members

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Public Safety Chair says, The OPA Review Board is in good hands.
SEATTLE  The Seattle City Councils Public Safety, Human Services,and Education Committee today released the names of sevenindividuals it will nominate to the newly expanded Office ofProfessional Accountability (OPA) Review Board.
The OPA Review Board is one part of Seattles three-part system ofpolice oversight that also includes the civilian-led Office ofProfessional Accountability (OPA), which receives and investigatescomplaints of misconduct, and the independent civilian auditor, whooversees internal investigations. The Board evaluates themisconduct complaint handling process, monitors local and nationaltrends in police practices and oversight, and conducts regularcommunity-listening and outreach efforts.
The expansion of the Review Board to seven members is one ofseveral changes in police oversight brought about by the Councilsrecent ratification of a new labor contract with the citys policeofficers. Other changes include an expanded role for the civilianauditor, including additional authority to order investigations,and greater collaboration between the Review Board, auditor, andOPA on developing annual work plans, the focus of periodic audits,and community outreach efforts.
The nominated Board members, who must undergo full Councilconfirmation in the coming weeks, include Tina Bueche, a smallbusiness owner in Pioneer Square; George Davenport, a lawyer andChief Operating Officer at First African Methodist Episcopal Churchon Capitol Hill; Sharon Dear, a litigation defense lawyer andformer deputy prosecuting attorney; Steven Freng, a clinicalpsychologist specializing in drug prevention and treatment; MarthaNordberg, a CPA and former sworn law enforcement officer; PatrickSainsbury, designated as chair of the Board who led the frauddivision of the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office for 26years; and, David Wilma, a free-lance writer and former sworn lawenforcement officer.
This group brings a diversity of experiences to the Review Board,said Councilmember Tim Burgess, chair of the Public Safety, HumanServices and Education Committee. These individuals have thedisposition, skills, and competence to serve every citizen andevery neighborhood. The Board is in good hands. Policeaccountability and oversight is strengthened by these highlyqualified individuals.
Fairness and transparency in the police accountability system areimportant to the public and to police officers, said incomingBoard Chair Patrick Sainsbury. Police officers have great powerand discretion, and it is good public policy that they beaccountable for their use of their power and discretion. The CityCouncil members and their staff who interviewed me share thesevalues. Im honored to be selected to serve and look forward toworking with my fellow Board members to make the system work fairlyand transparently.
Councilmember Bruce Harrell said, After personally interviewingthe candidates to fill this board, I can say with all certaintythat the individuals we have selected are the highest qualified andwill do the City proud.
Added Councilmember Nick Licata, The outgoing board has made atremendous contribution towards the goal of greater transparency inSeattles police accountability practices. The members of the newBoard will best benefit from that contribution as they take on thischallenging work by striving to listen to as many voices aspossible.
The Public Safety, Human Services, and Education Committee willconsider the Board nominations on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at 2:00pm. Full Council action will likely occur the following Monday,August 11, at 2:00 pm. Biographies of the nominees to the OPA Review Board