Spokane to examine its 32-year partnership with C.O.P.S.

Spokane is reevaluating its partnership with Spokane Community Oriented Policing Services (C. O. P. S. ), an organization that has played a vital role in community safety for 32 years.

Concerns from Mayor Lisa Brown and Police Chief Kevin Hall center around the organization's efficacy and its ability to provide data supporting program success. With C. O. P. S.

receiving approximately 80% of its funding from the city, the potential reconsideration of its $500,000 annual contract raises questions about the future of community safety initiatives. The administration seeks to open the opportunity for funding to other volunteer organizations, emphasizing a need for measurable outcomes. Founded in response to local crime crises, C. O. P.

S. has seen a decline in its neighborhood presence from 12 hubs to 8, reflecting shifting community dynamics and needs. The organization now faces the challenge of proving its worth in a landscape increasingly focused on effective resource allocation. The upcoming discussions could significantly impact the approach to public safety in Spokane, especially following increased calls for reform in the wake of national events. As the deadline for the contract approaches, both city officials and C.

O. P. S. executive Jeff Johnson express concern over the future of community safety initiatives and the need for a competitive bidding process.