BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. (AP) — A Bainbridge Island police oversight commission is firing its independent chief examiner and giving the position to a city employee.
The Kitsap Sun reports (http://bit.ly/qDB4F5) that examiner Kim Hendrickson has raised concerns about the department’s hiring practices and her her access to police information. She’s been under a commission-imposed gag order for months not to talk to the press.
Hendrickson says the position should be independent and giving the job to someone in city hall will make it less effective.
City Manager Brenda Bauer proposed the change. She said it’s aimed at cutting costs, providing greater security for police personnel records and bringing the city’s practices in line with most other cities. She said she was concerned that Hendrickson, who was paid about $3,500 for her work last year, brought personnel records home with her.
