The performance of Fresno's first independent police auditor will largely determine whether the city's experiment with this controversial office makes it a permanent part of city operations. Mayor Ashley Swearengin knew the importance of the first police auditor, which is why she moved carefully in making the selection.
Swearengin and City Manager Andy Souza believe they have the right person in Eddie J. Aubrey, who was named Wednesday to head the Office of Independent Review. Aubrey, 50, is a former Los Angeles police officer with extensive experience in the criminal justice system.
The auditor post had critics even before Aubrey was named. Former Mayor Alan Autry tried to get the position established for eight years, but the City Council blocked it because the majority felt that the internal investigations of police actions were adequate safeguards.
Finally in March, the City Council approved Swearengin's version of the position, giving it a five-year trial run.
This newspaper has supported a police auditor since Autry first proposed it. The post will enhance the level of trust between the police department and the community, and will give residents confidence that all complaints involving police action are handled fairly.
Now the credibility of the job falls to Aubrey. He must be able to show that he is independent of the police department, while offering fair conclusions in his "audits" of police operations and citizen complaints.
This job will have its share of political minefields. Critics of the post will be second-guessing the auditor's conclusions. In addition, community activists who wanted stronger police oversight will need to be shown that this system works.
Aubrey steps into the job at a time when the police department's shooting policy is being debated because of recent incidents. Six people have been shot and killed by Fresno police officers in 2009. During a news conference Wednesday, Aubrey said his review of the shootings will be thorough and open.
We've moved past the debate over the independent police auditor, and now will see if it's the right choice for our community.
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