The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has an opening on the 11-member Advisory Board. It is seeking a defense attorney who supports OII’s vision that all investigations of police use of deadly force will be free from bias and trusted by everyone.
Members of the OII Advisory Board advise on agency policies and approve the hiring of any applicants for investigative positions who have been in law enforcement within 24 months of applying. Board members also advise and prepare upcoming reports for the legislature in accordance with Chapter 43.102 RCW. If the Director position, who is appointed on a three-year term, becomes vacant, board members recommend candidates. The board does not have a role in OII investigations.
According to OII's statute (RCW 43.102.130), the advisory board must include family members affected by incidents of police use of deadly force, law enforcement, a police chief who is a member of an Independent Investigation Team, community members, a representative of a federally recognized Washington tribe, a mental health professional, a prosecutor, a member of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and a defense attorney.
OII Advisory Board members meet monthly. Meetings are generally held virtually, with in-person work sessions held twice a year. Board members are not compensated for their time but will receive travel-related reimbursement for any travel on behalf of OII.
The Advisory Board particularly encourages Central and Eastern Washington applicants to consider applying for this open position.
To be considered for this position, all interested candidates must submit an application at governor.wa.gov/boards-commissions/apply-serve. Please select the “Office of Independent Investigations Advisory Board” in the drop-down menu and follow the instructions to apply.
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The state Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. The agency works with an 11-member advisory board that reviews and provides input on agency policies.
Media inquiries can be directed to Kimberly Garcia, Media Relations Coordinator, at Kimberly.Garcia@oii.wa.gov or (360) 790-1247.