Office of Professional Accountability (OPA)

WHAT IS THE OPA?

The Office of Professional Accountability is the office within the Seattle Police Department that receives and investigates complaints about police misconduct. The office is headed by a civilian.

Its mission is to provide for civilian oversight of the complaint process; to promote public awareness of and full access to that process; and to advance reforms that increase police accountability by the Seattle Police Department.

OPA has adopted the Code of Ethics approved during the September 2006 meeting of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.
The code can be accessed at: www.nacole.org

COMMUNITY FORUMS

The OPA holds community forums to encourage dialog about the complaint process at SPD. The OPA Director and members of the Investigation Section meet with community members to talk about the types of complaints OPA investigates and tell you more about the process. These forums are also an opportunity for the OPA to listen to your concerns or suggestions.

Please contact the OPA at(206) 615-1566or via e-mail if you'd like to schedule a presentation for your group or organization.

OPA brochures are also available at the following locations:

• Mayor's Office, City of Seattle,
  7th floor Seattle City Hall

• City Council Lobby, 2nd Floor Seattle City Hall

• Seattle Police Department Precincts:
  • North - 10049 College Way N.
  • West - 810 Virginia St.
  • East -1519 12th Ave.
  • South - 3001 S. Myrtle St.
  • Southwest - 2300 SW Webster.

• Neighborhood Service Centers - 13 locations

• Seattle Office for Civil Rights,
  700 3rd Ave., Suite 250

• ACLU, Seattle office -705 2nd Ave.

DIRECTOR:

Kathryn Olson[more]

CONTACT:

Email the OPA at opa@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 615-1566
Fax: (206) 233-7907

LOCATION:

OPA Director
Police Headquarters
P.O. Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124

To file a complaint:
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue
Suite 1640
Seattle, WA 98104