OPA Visits
OPA looks forward to coming out and speaking at roll calls and other units of SPD. If your team is interested in a presentation, we'd love to connect! Please contact Executive Assistant, Puao Savusa, at puao.savusa@seattle.gov.
Copline
Copline is a crisis hotline staffed by retired police officers trained to support fellow law enforcement professionals. Whether dealing with on-duty stressors—such as challenges with supervisors, tough management decisions, community hostility, or trauma from patrol—or off-duty struggles like financial pressures, or relationship issues, you can find a safe, confidential space to talk. To reach out, call 1-800-COPLINE (1-800-267-5463).
OPA Staff Pick: Best Podcast for Sleep
🚔💤 We know that shift work can turn your sleep schedule upside down, making quality rest a challenge. If counting sheep isn’t helping you fall asleep, OPA project manager and fellow insomniac, Amanda, recommends the Sleepy History podcast to help with nodding off. Your body (and your coffee intake) will thank you!
❓ SPD employees—have questions about OPA processes, complaint investigations, or your rights? Check out the SPD Employee FAQ page for answers and resources! Your go-to guide is just a click away.
After an investigation, OPA writes a report called the Director’s Certification Memorandum, which explains the director’s review of the case and recommended findings. When a case is closed, OPA posts a summary online that describes the investigation, the findings, and any discipline the chief of police decided on.
OPA looks at SPD’s policies and training to decide if misconduct happened. A “sustained” finding usually means OPA determined it was more likely than not that an officer committed the alleged misconduct.
CONTENT WARNING To promote transparency, these summaries sometimes include photos and other evidence that some may find disturbing.
2024OPA-0225 - All Allegations Sustained
Named Employee #1 (NE#1) pursued a stolen vehicle driven by Community Member #1 (CM#1). The Complainant— an SPD lieutenant—alleged that NE#1 engaged in an unauthorized pursuit, failed to terminate that pursuit when ordered by a supervisor, and operated his patrol vehicle unsafely after deactivating his emergency equipment.
In the News...
Connecting local police accountability work to statewide and national efforts
Eleven nominated to join Johns Hopkins University Police Accountability Board
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has nominated 11 individuals to join its Police Accountability Board, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the development and operation of the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD). The board comprises five community members unaffiliated with the university and ten JHU students, faculty, and staff, ensuring diverse representation. Members are responsible for conveying community concerns, reviewing department metrics, and assessing policies to provide recommendations for improvement.
Other Universities with campus police accountability programs:
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Michigan State University
JHU’s Police Accountability Board follows a broader trend of universities implementing police oversight structures and is notable for its community representation and legislative backing.
Was this Newsletter Shared with You?
OPA's newsletter is a great way to stay up to date on the latest Seattle police accountability news. As a subscriber, you'll receive the following content each month:
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OPA In the Community: Highlights from our community engagement team plus upcoming events.
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For SPD Officers: Updates on the Seattle Police Department’s policies and training and information about OPA’s process, definitions, etc.
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Closed Case Summaries: Summaries covering OPA’s investigative steps, the OPA director's analysis and findings, and any recommended and imposed discipline.
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News and Information: Police accountability work happening in Seattle and across the nation.
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