Oregon Public Broadcasting

A review of the culture inside Vancouver’s police force has not found a culture of intolerance for minorities. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The review was prompted by a $1.5 million discrimination settlement the city made with a former officer last year. Two similar cases are still pending. 

The city hired a private California company, Matrix Consulting, to conduct the review. It concluded there aren’t significant issues with minority discrimination, but that there’s an atmosphere of mistrust and poor morale among some staff.

City spokeswoman, Elizabeth Gotelli, says they’ll be adopting some of the review’s recommendations: For example, a clear discipline plan.

Elizabeth Gotelli: “So, at lower levels there would be a written reprimand, or several days of suspension, leading up to termination for more serious infractions. And it’s meant to give both management and employees a clear guideline as far as what will happen, what the consequence will be if there’s behavior that’s unacceptable.”

Contract talks between the city and the police union started last week. Some of the recommendations are likely to be included in negotiations.