OLYMPIA—The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) will soon begin its first investigation since the agency was created by the state legislature in 2021 in the wake of national calls for accountable use of force following the death of George Floyd and national riots that followed in the summer of 2020. OII is to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. It works with an 11-member advisory board that reviews and provides input on agency policies.
“This is a big step forward for OII and the state. We’ve assembled a team of expert and impartial investigators that will perform fair and thorough reviews,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “Police work is dangerous work, but deadly force should only be a last recourse. OII will make sure that’s the case.”
Oll’s first case involves the Vancouver Police Department’s use of deadly force on December 4, 2024, that occurred at13719 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA.
According to the city of Vancouver, on December 4, 2024, at approximately 10:48 p.m., a Vancouver Police Officer shot and killed a male in a Safeway parking lot following a physical altercation between another officer and the individual.
During the fight, the male produced a firearm. One Vancouver Police Officer at the scene discharged his firearm, striking the male who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. One Vancouver Police Officer was injured in the fight. No bystanders were injured.
Three Vancouver Police Officers, the involved officer and two witness officers, were placed on critical incident leave, per standard protocol and the Vancouver Police Department notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII), who will now investigate use-of-force shooting.
As part of the Vancouver Police Department’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program, video captured by body-worn cameras and in-car cameras will be reviewed and released at a later time.
In compliance with WAC 139-12, Vancouver Police Department personnel will not be involved in the independent investigation.
Once the OII investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
OII was recommended from the Governor’s Task Force on Independent Investigations of Police Use of Force, which Governor Jay Inslee formed after widespread public outcry in response to recent fatal police use of force cases where victims were often Black men and women, and other people of color, according to the OII website.
Video: Man shot, killed in Safeway parking lot after ‘physical fight’ with police officer
Author: Mario Lotmore
One Response
How about explain to the citizens how much has been spent to date amd why no formal policies or.procedures are.created.or.in place