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The push for a federal review of the Spokane Police Department's practices reached a fever pitch in the wake of Otto Zehm's death at the hands of former Ofc. Karl Thompson, Jr., in March 2006. Friday's announcement of the findings of a Department of Justice-led report on the department is the culmination of those efforts. Here are some key events that led to Friday's proceedings.
Otto Zehm is struck, Tasered and hogtied by Spokane Police officers, including initial respondent Ofc. Karl Thompson. The case will provide a catalyst for reformers requesting federal review of Spokane Police Department.
Otto Zehm dies at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane.
Zehm’s death is ruled a homicide, as a result of oxygen deprivation to the brain, by Spokane Medical Examiner Sally Aiken. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Spokane Police Detective Terry Ferguson, who is handling the criminal investigation into Thompson’s actions in the Zehm case, submits a report to Spokane County prosecutors finding that Thompson did not commit any crimes.
Spokane Assistant City Attorney Rocky Treppiedi writes a letter, later published on the City of Spokane’s website, absolving Thompson of criminal guilt in Zehm’s death. County prosecutors had not yet announced their decision in the case.
Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession confirms the FBI is involved in review of the Zehm case.
Anne Kirkpatrick, former chief of Federal Way, is installed as Chief of Spokane Police by a City Council vote, replacing acting chief Jim Nicks.
Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker puts review of the Zehm case on hold, as FBI states it has found additional witnesses who were not interviewed in Ferguson’s review of the case.
Dozens of protesters turn out in Riverfront Park on the Fourth of July to call for more police oversight after Zehm's death. The protest turns violent and 17 people are arrested, some charged with felony assault. Fifty area attorneys offer pro bono services to the protesters. Video of the incident, released much later, seems to conflict with officers' contentions of how the violence started.
Spokane attorney Jeffry Finer files a claim on behalf of Zehm’s family for damages totaling $2.9 million in the 36-year-old’s death. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Federal authorities begin calling Spokane Police officers before a grand jury in the Zehm case.
The Zehm family files a civil lawsuit against the city, with involvement from the Center for Justice. Executive Director Breean Beggs leads Zehm’s legal team.
Mayor Mary Verner announces Tim Burns, a 22-year veteran police officer from California, as her pick to serve as the Police Department’s first ombudsman. He is confirmed a few days later by the City Council. His position is challenged by reformers as lacking teeth.
Thompson is indicted on charges of using unreasonable force and lying to cover up his actions in the Zehm case.
Federal authorities begin questioning the actions of Assistant City Attorney Treppiedi, including allegations that he may have obstructed the federal investigation into Zehm’s death. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Ombudsman Burns releases his first internal report on the Police Department, concluding a majority of internal affairs reviews were completed appropriately.
Spokane Police Assistant Chief Jim Nicks, who was acting police chief during the Zehm encounter, signs an affidavit indicating Thompson violated the department’s use of force policy in the March 2006 incident.
Nicks announces his retirement, following the announced departure of Chief Kirkpatrick earlier that year.
A Yakima jury convicts Thompson of civil rights violations in the Zehm case. The jury is re-examined in a rare procedure. Two days later in Spokane, about 50 SPD officers, who attend a detention hearing, salute Thompson as he is led from the courtroom. The salute occurs in front of Zehm’s family.
Mayor Mary Verner, whose term is to expire six weeks later, announces she will seek a “patterns and practice” review of the Spokane Police Department by the Department of Justice following the saluting incident at Thompson’s trial.
Newly elected Mayor David Condon picks Scott Stephens, a major in the Police Department, to lead an internal review of practices until a successor is selected for Kirkpatrick. He also calls for creation of an independent Use of Force Commission to provide recommendations to the police department. Treppiedi is fired in April.
The Spokane City Council approves a $1.67 million settlement with Zehm’s family. The agreement also requires a formal written apology, a permanent park building to be named for Zehm and increased crisis intervention training for Spokane police.
Condon meets with Zehm’s family and apologizes for his death, per the civil settlement. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Condon announces he likely won’t renew Ombudsman Burns’ three-year contract. The City Council opposes Condon’s announcement, and Burns is eventually kept on. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Former Indianapolis Public Safety Director Frank Straub is introduced by Condon as Spokane’s new police chief. He remains in that office today.
On what would have been his 43rd birthday, and more than 6 years after his death, the city places a memorial plaque for Otto Zehm in Mission Park, per the civil settlement.
Thompson is sentenced to four years in federal prison for his actions in the Zehm case. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
The city’s Use of Force Commission releases its yearlong review of the police department, calling for 26 recommendations – including the creation of an independent ombudsman position, body cameras for police and increased crisis intervention training.
70 percent of Spokane voters approve language to the city charter that would create an independent office for a police ombudsman with disciplinary powers. Voters also approve the creation of an ombudsman commission. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Police Chief Straub announces the Department of Justice will begin what's known as a "Technical Assistance Project," leading to a review of use of force incidents and training in the Spokane Police Department. The review is less stringent than the "patterns and practice review" former Mayor Verner said she'd pursue in November 2011. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
The Spokane City Council unanimously rejects a contract negotiated by Straub and Condon with the Spokane Police Guild, arguing it does not do enough to create an independent police ombudsman. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Condon returns with a new proposal, endorsed by Straub, which includes a “safety valve” for internal reviews that will allow the ombudsman to initiate its own investigation if the police’s probe is not deemed sufficient. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
The Spokane City Council approves a labor contract with the Police Guild that follows the “safety valve” recommendation for the Office of the Ombudsman. The Guild approves the contract the next week. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Straub announces the Spokane Police Department has gained accreditation through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, one of the recommendations laid out by the Use of Force Commission in its 2012 report.
The city announces its five-member Ombudsman Commission, part of the ballot initiative approved by voters in February 2013. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
17 Spokane Police officers begin wearing body cameras as part of a pilot program. Straub said the policy will likely evolve as the project moves forward.
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich announces he is in discussions with Police Ombudsman Burns to offer similar oversight for the Sheriff’s Office.
Straub announces officers will leave their body cameras on during all interactions with the public, regardless of whether they’re asked to stop filming. Read the Spokesman-Review's coverage here.
Spokane Police Ofc. Mike Roberge shoots a stalking suspect who allegedly attempted to drive his car at Roberge’s female partner. Roberge’s body camera was turned off during the encounter.
The state Attorney General’s Office, at the request of State Rep. Andy Billig, releases its formal opinion on body cameras, stating consent is not needed for an officer to record.
Ombudsman Burns announces he is leaving his position, effective Jan. 2, 2015. He's been the only Spokane Police ombudsman to date, holding the position for more than 5 years.
The U.S. Supreme Court chooses not to hear Thompson’s final appeal of his conviction in the Zehm case.
The Justice Department announces the recommendations of its review of the use of force and culture of the Spokane Police Department in a joint press conference with Straub, Condon and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Mike Ormsby.
