City of Topeka to hire civilian to investigate police misconduct

The city of Topeka will hire an independent police auditor who will help investigate reports of police misconduct.

City manager Brent Trout announced Tuesday he had authorized creating the new position in his office.  He said the person will be a civilian and report to him.  The person will work with the police department’s professional standards unit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Trout found funds for the position by eliminating an existing job in his office for a senior executive aide, which was vacant.

The person will be paid $71,500 a year.

The city hasn’t started the process of finding someone to fill the position.