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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 and knowledge.
Community Engagement Manager & Restorative Justice Specialist, Geneva Taylor, Presenting Introduction to OPA to Seattle U students.
🔗 Click to Request a Presentation
OPA Interim Director Bonnie Glenn and Complaint Navigation & Community Outreach Specialist Serenna Duncan have been participating in the Seattle Public Safety Community Forums across the city. These forums provide a valuable opportunity for residents to share their concerns, experiences, and perspectives on public safety.
SPD Captain Davisson with Lt. Garth Haynes and Interim Director Glenn (not pictured) worked with community members at the Seattle Public Safety Community Forum at Magnuson Community Center. (Photo by Interim Director Glenn)
From left to right: Chris B. Bennett – CEO & Publisher of the Seattle Medium, Bonnie Glenn – Interim Director of the Seattle Office of Police Accountability, Ted Howard – Accountability Officer for Seattle Public Schools, and Dr. Tarance Hart – Garfield Principal.
Interim Director Glenn and Complaint Navigation & Community Outreach Specialist Duncan attended a Community Engagement Forum on safety at Garfield High School. Community members gathered alongside Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, SPD Officers, Dr. Dwayne Chappell - Director of Department of Education & Early Learning, Garfield personnel, community organizations, accountability partners, students, and families to discuss public safety. One idea explored was piloting a School Engagement Officer on campus. The gathering ended with table discussions and community reflections. The event concluded with small-group discussions and community reflections. Acting Superintendent Fred Podesta stated, “This gathering is not simply about revisiting the presence of police in schools; it is about rebuilding trust, restoring relationships, and co-constructing what safety means for our young people.” This forum marks the beginning of ongoing community conversations and input on this important topic.
We’re happy to share that OPA has released its 2024 Annual Report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of our work from last year, highlights key data trends, and offers a clear explanation of how Seattle’s police accountability system works.
Whether you're a community member, City employee, or just curious about police oversight, this report is a valuable resource for understanding how OPA works.
Visual Description: The cover features a drawing of an SPD officer and a young girl sitting on a bench waiting for the bus. The officer put his hat on the girl’s head. They are both smiling. Above them, blue text reads “Support the Youth.” In the upper left corner, a sign for the bus stop is visible. The bottom banner of the cover reads: “2024 Annual Report – Office of Police Accountability – Interim Director, Bonnie Glenn, June 2025.”
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Complaints
Within 30 days of receiving a complaint, OPA conducts an initial review to determine how the complaint will be handled. This process typically includes speaking with the complainant, interviewing community witnesses, and reviewing any related evidence. By the end of this 30-day period, OPA will notify the complainant, the named employee, and their supervisor about how the complaint will proceed.
If you are an SPD employee who filed a complaint internally, you will receive:
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Complaint Receipt – Confirms that OPA received your complaint and provides your case number.
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Complaint Classification Letter – Informs you of the classification status of your complaint (or one filed on your behalf). This could include a contact log, supervisor action or full or expedited investigation.
If a complaint was filed against you, you will receive:
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Complaint Contact Log Notice – Indicates a complaint was received in which you were named, but that the complaint was closed without further action, and it will not appear on your officer card.
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30-Day Notification – Lets you know whether the complaint will proceed to full investigation, or if it will be processed as a supervisor action or expedited investigation. The 30-Day Notification also has other important information you must read.
If you have any questions about communications you have received from OPA, please contact us at opa@seattle.gov.
 SPD Survey Reminder
Your health and wellness are essential to the mission of SPD. The SPD Survey is anonymous and will remain open through the first week of August. It provides vital feedback that helps the department support you and your colleagues. It's open to both sworn and civilian SPD employees!
Check your emails for a link to the survey!
Management Action Recommendations
During investigations, OPA may find opportunities for policy or training improvements and issue a Management Action Recommendation (MAR), sent as a letter to the Chief of Police outlining specific issues and suggesting policy or training improvements. While SPD is not required to adopt these recommendations, they actively collaborate with OPA to explore potential solutions.
In July, OPA made one Management Action Recommendation:
Ending Foot Pursuits – It was alleged that a named employee’s use of force on a community member was not proportional to the crime or threat posed. Recommendations included:
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SPD should develop a training module concerning different tactics for ending foot pursuits, including different force options, relevant considerations, practical exercises, and anticipated risks. Any such training should review practices from comparable, large law enforcement agencies and incorporate any identified best or promising practices.
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SPD should consider reviewing a representative sample of recent foot pursuits terminated by use of force to determine the relative safety of different methods.
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SPD should consider whether to address specific expectations and considerations for officers ending a foot pursuit in policy.
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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.
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:
2025OPA-0012 – No Allegations Sustained (Expedited)* During the investigation into a community member’s death, the Complainant, who was present and recorded the scene, alleged that the named employees acted unprofessionally by threatening him and exhibited racial bias by preventing him from crossing the police tape.
2024OPA-0470 – Partially Sustained An officer responded to the apartment of a suspect to execute an arrest for kidnapping. The officer used two patrol ruses to persuade the suspect to exit his apartment. When the suspect declined, the officer entered his apartment, guided him out, and arrested him. The Complainant, an assistant chief, alleged that the officer may have unlawfully entered the suspect’s apartment and failed to consult a supervisor before using the patrol ruses. OPA also alleged that the officer failed to document the patrol ruses in his report.
2025OPA-0039 – Not Sustained (Training Referral) An officer was dispatched to a priority three call involving narcotics. Two Complainants alleged that the officer sped through an intersection and nearly struck the second Complainant and her child as they were crossing a marked crosswalk. OPA also alleged that the officer failed to activate his in-car video (ICV) while enroute to the narcotics call.
*Expedited – OPA may expedite a case in certain circumstances where additional training or policy changes are more appropriate than discipline. See OPA Manual Section 5.4 - Classification (B) (i) for more information.
 Other Resources
In the News...
Connecting local police accountability work to statewide and national efforts
Wilmington City Council approves nominations for its Community Police Accountability Board
July 12, 2025 - Wilmington City Council appointed members to its Community Police Accountability Board at its July 10 meeting. “This is a landmark body that will be not only helping to improve police practices, but also giving advice and guidance into how our police department can serve our citizens better” [...] Read More
WA looks to tighten compliance under police accountability law
June 5, 2025 - Washington state auditors have started investigating whether local police departments are properly reporting officer misconduct. Read More
Other Places to get OPA News
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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