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The Chief’s Forum is a citizens’ group that is advisory to the Chief of Police – not the City Council. Based on the concepts described in Goal Police4 of the Policing Chapter of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan (Chapter 13), the Forum’s purpose is as follows:
- To serve as a communication link between citizens and the Police Department.
- To assist in identifying policing priorities.
- To provide community input to the Chief on Department policies, practices, activities and services.
- To serve as a venue for discussing concerns about police operations, community livability and public safety.
- To assist the Department in educating the public about police and public safety issues.
Members
All members of the Forum are appointed by the Chief of Police. Up to seven members are nominated for appointment by the City Council. The remaining members are appointed directly by the Chief as at-large members. Current members are as follows:
Council nominated members:
- Meta Hogan
- Dennis Johnston
- Paul Seabert
- John Sleeter
- Danielle Westbrook
At-Large members:
- Jim Boyde
- Jordan Meehan (Youth member)
- Norm Overdahl
- Griselda Perretz-Rosales
- Jill Severn
Membership Criteria
Members must live, work or attend school full time in the City of Olympia. Because members of the Forum are present in a location where confidential criminal history information is located, they must comply with National Crime Information Center regulations and complete and pass a criminal history background check prior to appointment. Members must not have a criminal history that includes any felony conviction or any misdemeanor conviction in the past three (3) years. Members must be willing to be fingerprinted prior to service.
Term of Appointment
Three (3) years for regular members. Youth members serve for a one (1) year term. Terms of members are staggered to maintain continuity from year to year. Terms may be renewed.
Appointment Date
March 31st
Meeting Dates, Times and Places
Meetings are held eight times a year (every month except January, July, August and December) on the first Wednesday of the month, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 or 8:30 PM. The dates, times and locations of meetings - along with discussion topics - are posted on the OPD News and Notifications web page. The public and members of the City Council are invited to attend meetings as observers.
Agendas for meetings are set by the Chief. Meeting topics include specific issues on which the Chief and Department Command Staff are seeking citizen input or guidance. Agendas also permit the scheduling of topics of interest or concern to Forum members, City Council members and the general public, and are flexible enough to allow for discussion of emerging issues.
Staff Liaison
Dick Machlan, Administrative Services Manager
Olympia Police Department
Phone: (360)753-8006
dmachlan@ci.olympia.wa.us
Address correspondence to:
Chief's Forum
Olympia Police Department
P.O. Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967