The Washington State Patrol is looking for applicants to be community representatives assisting the patrol's Community Investigation Division in potential Wahkiakum County cases involving a peace officer and the use of deadly force. The representatives will serve on independent investigative teams (IIT); each county in the state will have one.

With the passage of Washington State Initiative 940 in 2018 and SHB 1064 in 2019, incidents where the use of deadly force by a peace officer result in death, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm require an independent investigation. The independent investigation is conducted in the same manner as a criminal investigation, and state law requires an investigation completely independent of the involved agency. The goal is to enhance accountability and increase trust between law enforcement and the community.

The IIT will consist of a team of qualified and certified peace officer investigators and at least two non-law enforcement community representatives who operate completely independent of any involved agency to conduct investigations of police deadly force incidents.

The IIT non-law enforcement community representatives should have credibility with, and ties to, the communities impacted by the police use of deadly force. Representatives selected will participate directly in the vetting, interviewing, and/or selection of IIT certified law enforcement investigators, media communications, and use of involved agency equipment.

This position will require the community representative to pass a department/agency background check and attend identified training that is relevant to officer involved deadly force incidents. The non-law enforcement community representative must sign a binding confidentiality agreement at the beginning of each investigation. This is a non-paid volunteer position.

Length of commitment to this position is two years.

Interested, qualified applicants may submit the application materials listed below electronically to IITCommunityRep@wsp.wa.gov. Application materials must be received by July 30. Application materials received after the deadline will not be considered.