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 OPA is committed to transparency and community engagement. OPA’s community engagement team is out and about providing presentations across Seattle on topics such as:
✅ Introduction to OPA – Learn how OPA is structured and operates.
✅ The Complaint Process – Understand how to file a complaint and what to expect.
✅ Know Your Rights – Gain insights into common SPD interactions.
We meet with a wide variety of groups including schools, libraries, advocacy organizations, community boards, and more!
🔗 Click to request a presentation
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On Monday, June 16, OPA participated in a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the SouthEast Seattle Senior Center (SESSC). Our team enjoyed connecting with community members to share information about OPA’s work, while also taking in the vibrant festivities. Highlights included live music featuring a powerful performance by the MLK Choir, and delicious BBQ, all set in a welcoming atmosphere that honored the spirit of Juneteenth.
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OPA Complaint |
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A delicious BBQ was served up for attendees! |
Happy Pride Month!
🌈✨ Happy Pride Month from the Seattle Office of Police Accountability! As Seattle’s independent police oversight office, we are committed to ensuring that all community members are treated with respect, equity and fairness.
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Management Action Recommendations
During investigations, OPA may is not required to adopt these recommendations, they actively collaborate with OPA to explore potential solutions.
1. Use of Taser on Fleeing Subjects– SPD should revise SPD Policy 8.300-POL-3(6) to provide guidance regarding: (1) when a subject is “fleeing the scene,” and (2) what “other factors” should be considered to evaluate whether a taser may be deployed at a fleeing subject.
2. Preventable Vehicle Collisions – SPD should establish objective standards and procedures to determine when and under what circumstances a “preventable” collision must be referred to OPA.
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Closed Case Summaries
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. Below are some recently posted Closed Case Summaries:
2024OPA-0449 - No Allegations Sustained, Expedited
SPD officers, including Named Employee #1 (NE#1) and Named Employee #2 (NE#2), responded to a call about an alleged dog attack on the Complainant. The officers spoke with the Complainant and the other involved party, Community Member #1 (CM#1). Afterwards, officers determined the matter was civil and that no injury occurred. The Complainant alleged the named employees were unprofessional and engaged in bias-based policing to include mocking and questioning her mental health.
2022OPA-0422 - No Allegations Sustained
Community Member #1 (CM#1) traveled northbound on I-5 using the shoulder, passed Named Employee #1 (NE#1) and a Bellevue Police Department officer (BPD#1), and collided with the Complainant in the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane, resulting in a multi-vehicle accident. The Complainant alleged that NE#1 initiated a vehicular pursuit for a minor traffic violation during heavy traffic, which was outside of NE#1’s jurisdiction, failed to obtain permission from his chain of command to engage in the pursuit, failed to terminate the pursuit when public safety was at risk, and failed to communicate with BPD#1 during the pursuit.
New Closed Case Summaries are posted to OPA’s website every other Friday: seattle.gov/opa/news-and-reports/closed-case-summaries.
 Helpful Resources
In the News....
Connecting local police accountability work to statewide and national efforts.
Washington launches statewide database tracking police use-of-force
June 2, 2025 - Washington state has launched a new public database to track police use-of-force data across all 300 law enforcement agencies, aiming to improve transparency, trust, and accountability in law enforcement across the state.
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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.
Other Places to get OPA News
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