SPOKANE, Wash.- Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown offered details on the city’s search for new chiefs of the Fire and Police Departments during a press conference on Feb. 14.
The conference follows two police shootings in Spokane this week, which Brown addressed at the beginning of the conference.
“I want to take a moment and just say how sad and sorry I am about the lives lost and the lives threatened and endangered in recent events in the city,” Brown said. “I know we all want Spokane to be a place where people feel safe.”
Brown stated that the city is addressing those concerns by implementing new measures for intervening in mental health events before they escalate to violence. This includes providing more affordable housing opportunities in the city and addressing substance abuse issues across Spokane.
The city’s office announced a national search for new leaders of the Fire and Police Departments, which will include community feedback meetings and surveys of the departments themselves.
A recruiting firm will coordinate with a selection committee with members from the city council and public safety leaders.
City deputy administrator Maggie Yates anticipates the search to take several months.
“We’re aiming to make sure that we are balancing between swift action and a process for meaningful community partnership and engagement,” Yates said.
Yates also announced a new community safety group to address public safety needs including addiction and homelessness which will have an initial meeting this Friday.
Until new Fire and Police chiefs are selected by the city, they will be led by interim chiefs Julie O’Berg and Justin Lundgren.
