After more than two months of silence on the issue, the City of Spokane has hired a retired federal judge to oversee an internal investigation surrounding former Interim Police Chief Scott Stephens.
Mayor David Condon's announcement this afternoon still did not offer any details as to the nature of the investigation. Stephens has been on paid administrative leave since Dec. 20, shortly after he was demoted from assistant chief in a department-wide staff restructuring.
"This is a sensitive personnel matter during a time of transition that required some diligence to explore a mutually acceptable resolution," Condon says in a news release.
Retired federal Judge Michael Hogan was expected to take over the investigation Wednesday. Officials believed the investigation would take about a month.
Here's the full text of the news release:
Spokane Mayor David Condon announced today that the city has hired a retired federal judge to conduct an internal investigation into the circumstances that resulted in Spokane Police Department Lt. Scott Stephens being placed on administrative leave.
Retired federal Judge Michael Hogan will begin his investigation on Wednesday. Hogan’s investigation is expected to be complete by the end of the month.
“We have established a process through which information can be gathered and evaluated objectively to produce the best result for everyone involved,” says Mayor Condon. “Judge Hogan is well respected, and his experience includes assistance on several cases in Spokane.”
Lt. Stephens served as interim chief and assistant chief prior to being reassigned and given the rank of lieutenant. Police Chief Frank Straub placed Lt. Stephens on administrative leave on Dec. 20. Lt. Stephens remains on administrative leave.
“This is a sensitive personnel matter during a time of transition that required some diligence to explore a mutually acceptable resolution,” says Mayor Condon.
