. >> rick ichstad represented the family of otto zemm against the city of spokane. >> we did not have an independent police oversight. our policies and training were inadequate as well as i think a level of absolute defensiveness by city government. >> i can't breathe. >> reporter: it's a story repeated far too often, an incident involving what is reportedly excessive use of force. the result, an outraged community and both sides left with more questions than answers. >> the community didn't trust the police, the police didn't trust the community. >> you came into a system that was broken right? >> it was incredibly broken and there was tremendous tension between police department and the community over this unresolved incident. >> a few months after straub was hired he called the department of justice to come in and do a study and institute a system of reforms. >> taking this up means you're opening yourself up for criticisms. >> reporter: they made 42 recommendations for reform. >> there is the old phrase that the truth hurts but selected ignorance is fatal. >> reporter: the idea to