Report To Investigate May 31 Incidents In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — An independent, third-party will investigate how authorities responded on May 31 during an eruption of civil unrest that included looting and fires in Santa Monica, city officials announced last week.

"The Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office announced the selection of OIR Group to lead an after-action review for the events of May 31, 2020," officials said in a news release.

Following the Aug. 25 Santa Monica City Council meeting, the staff moved to “retain an individual or entity with the required professional expertise to prepare an independent after action report and evaluation regarding the events leading to, during, and following May 31, 2020.”

This followed the city council calling for Santa Monica Police Department to lead an independent review on June 9. The city council directed the city attorney's office to retain an outside, third-party to review "the after-action review conducted by the SMPD and conduct an independent investigation."

OIR Group brings approximately two decades of experience and expertise in oversight of law enforcement practices and activities, including the preparation of after-action reports, according to the city.

They were given lead responsibility by the City of Los Angeles’ Office of Inspector General to investigate the controversial, large-scale use of force by LAPD officers during the 2001 May Day incident in MacArthur Park.

Here's what is expected and the scope of work for the review:

• a written narrative of facts regarding those events as determined by the selected firm based on its independent review
• an independent evaluation of, and recommendations regarding, the City’s response to those events, including in particular the response by the SMPD, SMPD Chief, Interim City Manager, and City Council. The firm selected will be responsible for presenting the independent after action report and evaluation to the City Council, including answering questions regarding the report and evaluation at a public meeting of the City Council.
• OIR Group will complete the independent after action report and evaluation on an expedited timeline with the goal of having a final written report and evaluation within 180 days. The timeline can be extended if OIR Group determines that additional time is necessary for it to complete a thorough independent report and evaluation.
• The project contract will not exceed $75,000.

To learn more about the report reviewing the incidents on May 31 and see updates, visit the website.

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