Closed Case Summaries

What is a Closed Case Summary?

A Closed Case Summary is written for every OPA investigation that has been completed. It provides details about the complaint, the OPA director's findings, and any discipline the Chief of Police may have imposed on the employee.

This summary also explains how the OPA director looked at the facts and applied policy in their analysis. The policies used to review each complaint are from the Seattle Police Manual and are based on the active policy at the time of the incident. The summary does not include the name of the SPD employee or the person who made the complaint. 

If you're having trouble finding a Closed Case Summary, try using the search tool below.  If you don’t have the case number, you can email opamediainquiries@seattle.gov to ask for it. Keep in mind that not all complaints receive case numbers, so they may not be searchable.  OPA analyzes compliance with policy. Even when we review law violations, we do so through policy.

Closed Case Summaries since 2020 have been posted to this page. For CCS prior to 2020, you will need to submit a Public Disclosure Request. There may be fees. Click here to see the city’s fee schedule.

This content was adapted from the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) website to enhance clarity and accessibility. Edits were made using M365 Copilot Chat in accordance with the Mayor’s Executive Order (EO 2025-03) and the City’s Artificial Intelligence Policy (POL-211). All information was reviewed and approved by OPA staff prior to publication.

Search Closed Case Summary Files

Case numbers are in the format YYYYOPA-XXXX

Definition of Findings

Sustained
The evidence suggests that the employee more likely than not broke SPD policy. The employee may be disciplined, depending on what the policy was and how serious the violation was.

Not Sustained
This means that the evidence does not show that the employee broke SPD policy. There are a few different reasons this might happen:

  • Unfounded: The evidence shows the alleged policy violation did not occur as reported or did not occur at all.
  • Lawful and Proper: The evidence shows the alleged conduct did occur but was justified and consistent with policy.
  • Inconclusive: The evidence does not prove or disprove the allegation.
  • Training Referral: The employee may have made a mistake, but it wasn’t willful and, under the circumstances, was not serious misconduct. Their supervisor will give them extra training or counseling.
  • Management Action: The employee may have broken a rule, but the policy or training might not have been clear. SPD will be asked to improve the policy or training through an OPA policy recommendation to help prevent this in the future.
This content was adapted from the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) website to enhance clarity and accessibility. Edits were made using M365 Copilot Chat in accordance with the Mayor’s Executive Order (EO 2025-03) and the City’s Artificial Intelligence Policy (POL-211). All information was reviewed and approved by OPA staff prior to publication.

Closed Case Summary Reports - By Year

Closed Case Summaries (2026)
Posted Date Case Disposition

Closed Case Summaries (2024 - 2025)
Posted Date Case Disposition

Closed Case Summaries (2022-2023)
Posted Date Case Disposition

Closed Case Summaries (2020 - 2021)
Posted Date Case Disposition