Seattle Police Department Disciplinary Process

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides the following roadmap to assist interested stakeholders, including the public, with understanding the City process for handling complaints alleging Seattle Police Department (SPD) officer misconduct. It walks the reader through major actions in the process, from initial receipt of a complaint through possible avenues for resolution.

This roadmap does not reflect all internal steps taken by agencies that support the process. Contents have been verified by applicable agencies as identified on the map.

The main elements of a complaint consist of initial filing, review by the Office of Police Accountability with Office of Inspector General oversight, proposed disciplinary action if any by SPD, then exercise of any invoked grievance or appeal rights of the officer named in the complaint (the named employee).

Disciplinary Components Flowchart

Table of Contents

  1. Process Overview
  2. Intake and Contact Log
  3. Classification
    1. Expedited Investigation
    2. Supervisor Action
    3. Mediation
    4. Administrative Investigation
    5. Criminal Referral
  4. Proposed Discipline
  5. Grievance or Appeal
  6. Arbitration
  7. Download all maps

A more detailed flowchart is available here. For further information, please contact OIG at OIG@seattle.gov, (206) 684-3663.