Seattle Office of Police Accountability

🌍 April is National Diversity Month! Diversity isn’t just about differences—it’s about the strength, creativity, and innovation that come from embracing them. This month, let’s celebrate the unique cultures, perspectives, and identities that make Seattle vibrant and strong.

📰 Our March newsletter is out! See what OPA was up to last month: bit.ly/marnewsopa Sign up to get OPA's monthly newsletter for our community outreach updates, investigation summaries, and police oversight news: bit.ly/OPAnewsletter

Sometimes, during an investigation, OPA finds gaps within SPD’s policies or practices that go beyond the specific case.  This happened in OPA’s investigation for 2025OPA-0125. 🔗  Learn more about OPA’s Management Action Recommendations here: bit.ly/opa_mars

OPA is committed to transparency & engagement. Our team provides presentations on a variety of topics. We meet with a wide variety of groups, including schools, advocacy organizations, commissions, community boards, & more! 📅Request a presentation: bit.ly/opapreso

🚨 Submissions are due TOMORROW! 🚨 The winner will have their art featured on the cover of OPA's 2025 Annual Report. This year’s theme is "Police and community working together to create a better Seattle." 📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 🔗 More info: bit.ly/artcontest2026

➡️  OPA often provides resource information to community members who reach out to OPA, but their concern or question is not within OPA's area of expertise or mission. 🔗  Check out some of the most commonly referred community resources from OPA here: bit.ly/opacommrecs

📢 ONE WEEK LEFT! 🎨 OPA is still accepting art submissions for our third annual art contest! 📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 🔗 More info: bit.ly/artcontest2026

March 21st is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Racism has no place in our community; we stand together to promote equality & challenge discrimination. OPA is committed to building a world where everyone is treated with dignity & respect, every day.

OPA attended the 2026 UNCF Seattle Gala! There were inspiring student speakers, live entertainment, and a room full of people ready to support scholarships and educational resources for students of color. OPA was honored to support such a successful night for our youth.

🚨15 days left to submit your art submission! 📅 Deadline: 3/31/2026 🔗 More info: bit.ly/artcontest2026

🚨 Did you know that 911 dispatchers and communications staff are no longer part of SPD? This means they are outside of OPA’s jurisdiction. ➡️ To file a complaint about a dispatcher, email SCD_CARE_Info@seattle.gov.

SPD rules require officers drive safely, even if they are going to an emergency. “Title 13” of the SPD Manual lists the rules for officers driving police vehicles. 🔗  Learn more here: Section 13: Vehicle Operations in the SPD Manual: bit.ly/spdpolicymanual

🎨 OPA is accepting art submissions for our 3rd annual art contest! The winner will have their art featured on the cover of OPA's 2025 Annual Report. 📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026🔗 More info: bit.ly/artcontest2026 & link in bio

March 8 is International Women’s Day. OPA celebrates and honors those who have pushed for equity and accountability in our community today and every day.

📰 Our February newsletter is out! See what we were up to last month: bit.ly/febnewsopa Sign up to get OPA's monthly newsletter for our community outreach updates, investigation summaries, and police oversight news: bit.ly/OPAnewsletter

🎨 OPA is accepting art submissions for our 3rd annual art contest! The winner will have their art featured on the cover of OPA's 2025 Annual Report. This year’s theme is "Police and community working together to create a better Seattle." 🔗 More info: bit.ly/artcontest2026

🔎 NEW! Closed Case Summaries (CCSs) have been posted this week: bit.ly/opa_ccs Stay informed—transparency matters!

OPA celebrated Black History Month at the Garfield Community Center last week hosted by the Seattle Police Department’s Relational Policing Unit. There was poetry, song, a speech, and Black History trivia to educate and share in the uplifting of our African American community.

Did you know SPD employees must identify themselves in some situations? If you ask, an SPD employee who is doing their work must tell you their name & serial/badge number. SPD employees do not need to immediately respond if there is a work or safety reason. ➡️SPD Policy 5.001

OPA attended Seattle University Criminal Justice Career Fair last week. OPA engaged with students who are interested in police accountability, answered questions about our office, and learned about other organizations in the criminal justice field.