Specifications include, but are not limited to: (a) Developing a monitoring plan, due within 30 days of appointment and updated at the beginning of each two-year term, to ensure reliable compliance assessments. The Independent Monitor will use past COCL and DOJ compliance assessment reports as guidance, consult with the Parties, and will file the Monitoring Plan with the Court. The Monitoring Plan will identify the assessments necessary to determine whether the City has reached or sustained substantial compliance, and will set a schedule for assessments, outcome measurements, and reports. (b) Conducting semi-annual compliance assessments of the City’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement that are not subject to either self-monitoring or partial termination. Compliance assessments will contain the elements necessary for reliability and comprehensiveness and may involve sampling and compilation data where appropriate. Before any audit, the Independent Monitor will consult with the Parties on the proposed methodology. (c) Conducting qualitative and quantitative outcome assessments. Semi-annually, the Independent Monitor will assess and report whether the City’s implementation of the Settlement Agreement has created: (1) capable systems and resources for responding to persons in mental health crisis; (2) competent accountability and oversight systems; (3) effective training for police officers that increases the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for effective and successful delivery of service to persons in mental health crisis; (4) proper management of the use of force to meet constitutional standards; and (5) robust systems of community engagement. The outcome assessments shall be informed by data on the following: use of force; police interactions with community members with actual or perceived mental illness; training; and police performance and accountability. The Monitor must consult with the Parties on the methodology for these outcome assessments. (d) Providing recommendations that identify barriers to compliance and advise on actions necessary to ensure timely substantial compliance, such as revising a related policy, conducting training, or seeking technical assistance. (e) Filing semi-annual monitor reports with the Court that detail the status of the City’s progress in implementing this Agreement and which substantiate the compliance assessments and recommendations. These written reports shall be given in draft form to the Parties, who will have the opportunity to provide comments for the Independent Monitor’s consideration before the Independent Monitor releases the draft report to the public for community input, and which shall be considered before the report is filed with the court.
