Editorial: County, too, could benefit from having ombudsman

The ombudsman cometh. Again. Maybe.

Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has asked the Spokane County Commissioners to consider an agreement that would extend the purview of city ombudsman Tim Burns from the Spokane Police Department into his office. Now, with no complaints pending against a deputy, would be an opportune time to make that adjustment.

When an incident occurs and those involved dig into defensive positions, the truth can be a long time coming out.

The 2006 death of Otto Zehm finally put some urgency into long-standing but unsuccessful efforts to create an ombudsman’s office that could independently investigate alleged incidents of abuse by police officers. Were it not for the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, justice might never have been done in the Zehm case.

But it was not until February of this year, after voter endorsement of a strong ombudsman, that the city was able to negotiate a deal with the Spokane Police Guild that finally created the kind of office citizens had envisioned. Fortunately, business has been slow since then for Burns and the civilian commission supporting his efforts.

Meanwhile, there have been fewer complaints against county deputies, and Knezovich has taken a no-nonsense attitude toward offenses that are brought to his attention.

Some, though, are out of his hands, like claims that arose from the unfortunate 2010 shooting of the Rev. Wayne Scott Creach by Deputy Brian Hirzel, an incident the county’s insurer chose to write off with a $2 million settlement. Exactly what went on that night will never be known. An internal investigation cleared Hirzel of wrongdoing.

An ombudsman shadowing that review might not have come to a different conclusion given the absence of eyewitnesses, but an independent report could have reassured doubters that all the facts had been brought out.

But retaining Burns or a successor on a case-by-case basis may be a simpler, more economical way to expand civilian oversight. Knezovich estimates retaining Burns might cost $250,000. With the efforts to open alternative courts and other measures related to the implementation of smart justice, that’s a sum that might better be spent elsewhere.

The commissioners are right to react cautiously to the sheriff’s proposal.

Doug Orr, Knezovich’s opponent in the November election, smells politics in the incumbent’s efforts to get commissioner consent for an arrangement with Burns. We don’t. The sheriff does not need an ombudsman to solidify his credentials as a supervisor who expects exemplary behavior from his deputies, who just happen to be supporting Orr.

We have been steadfast backers of a strong ombudsman and would agree there is a role for one in the county. It may not necessarily have to be full-time, but we do want discussions to continue.