Opinion ID: 169352
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Compliance Mechanisms

Text: 9 The Decree also establishes mechanisms for overseeing compliance with antidiscrimination and other requirements. Section 11, 3 which addresses discipline within the TPD, reorganizes the Internal Affairs Section into two squads: the Investigations Squad, charged with investigating complaints, and the Audit and Inspections Squad, which must ensure that the TPD is operating consistent[ly] with the Department's policies by conduct[ing] such investigations and audits of the Department's data as necessary. Id. at 336-37. Subsection 11.3 requires the City to adopt and implement policies and procedures to ensure that every stage of the disciplinary process, from the initiation of an investigation to the punishment given to an officer, is free from racial and or gender discrimination. Id. at 337. 10 Section 21 creates a nine-member committee of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma named the Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Committee (Dispute Resolution Committee). The members are to be three citizens proposed by the parties and selected by the district court, two members selected by the Plaintiffs, two senior members of the TPD selected by the City, and two selected by the FOP. Section 22 describes the Committee's primary objective as to collect and review information regarding compliance from the Independent Auditor [created in § 26] and the City and then provide the Parties an opportunity to discuss issues concerning the requirements of this Decree, assist in the resolution of issues relevant to this Decree, and assist the Parties in avoiding future litigation over these matters. 4 Id. at 346. Section 23 gives the Committee the authority to act as an adjunct settlement judge under Local Rule 16.2 of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma in any settlement conference between the parties. If the Plaintiffs believe that the City has failed to fulfill any of its obligations under the Decree, § 25.2 requires that they give written notice of the alleged failure to the City and the Committee 45 days before initiating any court proceeding. 11 Section 26 5 creates an Independent Auditor, appointed by the court and paid by the City (no more than $36,000 per year, unless essential to effectuate the Decree), who shall perform a review of the City's compliance with the terms of th[e] Decree and shall report to the Committee three (3) times a year as to the City's compliance. Id. at 350. The City is to provide the Independent Auditor with necessary access to persons and information. The Independent Auditor's role is limited to compliance with th[e] Decree; the Independent Auditor is not a substitute for Internal Affairs or criminal investigations. Id.