Topeka will hire civilian to investigate police misconduct

TOPEKA — The city of Topeka will hire an independent police auditor who will help investigate reports of police misconduct.

City manager Brent Trout announced Tuesday he had authorized creating the new position in his office. He said the person will be a civilian and report to him. The person will work with the police department’s professional standards unit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Trout found funds for the position by eliminating an existing job in his office for a senior executive aide, which was vacant.

The person will be paid $71,500 a year.

The city hasn’t started the process of finding someone to fill the position.

Related: How reports of misconduct are investigated in Lawrence

• Sept. 14, 2018 — Lawrence’s new community police review board to hold first meeting

• June 19, 2018 — Lawrence City Commission approves police board, but concerns linger regarding access to police files and recordings

• June 19, 2018 — Lawrence City Commission approves police board, but concerns linger regarding access to police files and recordings

• June 18, 2018 — City leaders to again consider proposal for police review board; recordings could still be withheld in some circumstances

• June 5, 2018 — Lawrence City Commission delays action on police review board, fearing the body could be denied access to investigative files

• June 4, 2018 — Lawrence City Commission to consider giving police review board access to bias investigation files

• May 6, 2018 — Commissioner wants police review board to have access to some investigative files; police union balks

• April 24, 2018 — Final steps underway to create new police review board; applications for members expected to open soon

• Sept. 5, 2017 — Lawrence City Commission approves new police review board

• Sept. 4, 2017 — Lawrence City Commission to consider changes to handling complaints against police

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