Officials in Eugene are moving swiftly to fill a soon-to-be-vacant position they say is key to ensuring oversight and accountability within the police department.
At a work session on Monday, the City Council voted 7-2 in favor of pursuing negotiations to hire an interim police auditor. This comes after Leia Pitcher announced in July that she is leaving the office, effective Sept. 13, to take a job closer to her family.
“It’s really a personal decision,” Pitcher said. “I have loved this work. I have been here for 14 years and I have been in the city for over 20 years. It’s hard to leave.”
Pitcher started working as a deputy police auditor in Eugene in 2010 and was appointed to the office following the retirement of Mark Gissiner in 2021.
“I’ve learned a ton in this job and I’m grateful to Mark,” Pitcher said. “I’m grateful to all the CRB members I’ve worked with for the last 14 years, I’m grateful to council for giving me a chance and it’s been a really rewarding educational experience.”