Case & Policy Update
Volume 30 | June 26, 2020
Case Timelines & Notices
OPA is currently focusing all its resources on demonstration-related cases given high complaint volumes and public interest. Thus, OPA and SPOG have agreed on several more 180-day extensions to existing investigations. We have also cancelled all previously scheduled SPOG interviews for cases that are not demonstration related. Please call the OPA front desk (206-684-8797) and ask to be connected to the investigator assigned to your case if you would like more information.
At the request of SPOG, OPA stopped sending 5-day and 30-day contractual notices to named employees as of June 9, 2020; instead, they are only being sent to the chain of command and SPOG. This was done to reduce stress on officers caused by the receipt of OPA notices given the ongoing demonstrations. Absent an additional request from SPOG, OPA will resume sending contractual notices to named employees on July 9, 2020. All notices not previously sent will be forwarded to the named employees at that time.
OPA has been contacted almost 18,000 times about SPD's response to the demonstrations. So far, the emails, phone calls, and other feedback have resulted in 28 investigations. Some of these cases are comprised of thousands of complaints about a single incident. OPA is working to complete as many of these investigations as possible in under 90 days.
Due to the level of public concern and need for transparency, OPA created a web page that shows progress toward completing these investigations. This dashboard is updated weekly.
The legal and policy analysis and opinions herein are OPA’s own and do not state the positions of the Chief of Police or the Department. SPD employees should continue to seek the formal advice of SPD Legal, Precinct Liaisons, and the City Attorney's Office when legal questions arise in the field.
OPA also posts the Case & Policy Updates here.
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