The Tumwater Civil Service Commission approved a new police records supervisor class specification and an exam plan that commission staff said is tied to the city’s planned body‑worn camera program.

Michelle Sutherland, secretary examiner, presented the class specification and said the police records supervisor “will be responsible for the oversight management and compliance of the police department's record systems” and will ensure records are “accurately maintained, stored, and disclosed in accordance with applicable state laws and public disclosure regulations.”

Acting Police Chief Jay Mason said the city expects a substantial increase in public‑records requests after the department implements body‑worn cameras. “Now with us, taking on the body worn camera program, 1 of the things that we recognize is that, there'll be a substantial increase in public records requests and disclosures,” Mason said, and he described the new position as necessary to manage records retention and disclosures and to support administrative staff.

The commission approved the position and the exam plan in two motions. Commissioner Pat Schneider moved to approve the new position; Chairman Blake Chart seconded the motion and the commission voted aye. Schneider later moved to approve the record supervisor exam plan; Commissioner Wendy Mouty seconded that motion and the commission voted aye.

Sutherland reviewed the exam plan’s details: the oral board will contain 10 to 15 questions; candidates must score at least 70% to be placed on an eligibility list that will be presented to the commission for certification. Staff said recruitment and screening will begin after the specification is posted and that the oral boards are targeted for late May or early June, after a qualified pool is assembled.

Mason described likely oral‑board membership: a subject matter expert from a peer agency (for example, Lacey or Olympia), a person with public‑records experience, and a community member or third‑party evaluator. Sutherland said the role was included in the 2025–26 biennial budget.

The commission’s approvals clear the way for the city to post the position and begin recruitment; staff will return eligibility lists and certification requests to the commission after scoring and ranking candidates.