Yakima might hire outside investigator for city employees

YAKIMA — Yakima may hire an outside consultant to investigate allegations of misconduct by city employees — including police officers.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reported that if the City Council approves the idea next week the investigator would collect information on major allegations against employees and submit reports. The human resources director, city manager and supervisor to the employee would then talk about the appropriate course of discipline.

The contract would be for one year and pay Seattle-area attorney Russ Perisho no more than $80,000 for his services.

The proposal comes about three months after City Manager Tony O’Rourke publicly called for hiring an independent investigator for any future allegations of misconduct against employees, largely directed at police officers.