Olympia police relations forum will focus on Latino community

Olympia’s Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations will hold its next public forum from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 5) at Family Education and Support Services, Suite B1, 1202 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia.

Attendees will have an opportunity to share their experiences with the Olympia Police Department and offer suggestions about how the department can do a better job.

This forum is geared toward the local Latino community. Spanish-language interpreters will be available.

The committee was created in response to the May 21 shooting of two shoplifting suspects, Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, by Olympia police officer Ryan Donald.

The committee is focused on engaging minorities and other under-represented groups for their views on policing practices. Another priority is to seek input about how to implement the use of police body cameras.

This week’s forum is the second of five planned public forums. Upcoming forums are scheduled at 5:30 Dec. 7 (location to be announced) and Jan. 18 (time and location to be announced). To contact the committee, email pcr@ci.olympia.wa.us.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Olympia police relations forum will focus on Latino community."