2015 Received Complaints

The following are complaints received by the Office of the Ombudsman and forwarded to Internal Affairs of the Spokane Police Department for investigation in 2015.

Case # Complaint Description Disposition
OPO: 15-01 A Bias Policing & Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman via mail. The complaint involves an alleged assault. The complainant indicated that the officer(s) did not arrest the aggressor and indicated that the complainant would be ticketed, if the alleged aggressor was ticketed. Received: January 7, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-02 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office Police Ombudsman via email. The complainant advised that an officer(s) had not provided a response/result regarding an incident involving the theft of personal property. Received: January 20, 2015
District: (N/A)
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Duplicate
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-03 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that all potential witnesses were not interviewed regarding allegations of child abuse against the complainant. Received: February 23, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-04 A Negligent Driving complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that an officer was inappropriately speeding, weaving through traffic and activating lights through an intersection. Received: February 23, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-05 A Harassment complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that while inside an abandoned house, the complainant discovered potentially stolen items and was arrested. After the complainant’s release, the complainant was followed by an unknown male and the police, due to the discovery and sale of the items. Received: February 24, 2015
District: (N/A)
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-06 A Demeanor complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that while responding to a call for assistance about an assault on the complainant, officers were disrespectful and argumentative about the complainants’ name and gender identity. Received: February 26, 2015
District: 2
Status: Duplicate Complaint- Combined with previous
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-07 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that no officer responded to a report made to Crime Check regarding the length of time neighbors were warming up their vehicles. Received: February 27, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-08 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that no police response was received on a call made to 911 regarding deadly bodily harm. Received: March 2, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-09 A Negligent Driving complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. Due to a recent accident, the complainant inquired why SPD officers were not able to respond to calls for service safely. Received: March 2, 2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-10 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that no police response was received on a reoccurring noise issue. Received: March 3, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-11 An Inadequate Response & Demeanor complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that responding officers to multiple calls for assistance regarding a stalker were rude, disrespectful and intimidating. Received: March 5, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings:
Chief's Findings:
Officer Discipline:
OPO: 15-12 A Commendation was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The citizen indicated that the officer was professional and polite. Received: March 19, 2015
District: 2
Status: N/A
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-13 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that after being ordered to leave a bar, the responding officer arrested him and alleges it was due to his disability. Received: March 18, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-14 A False Statements & Unlawful/Improper Search/Seizure complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that an officer made false statements to CPS regarding the items found in his home under a search warrant. The complainant indicated that areas of his property were searched that were not included in the search warrant. Received: March 25, 2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-15 A Demeanor complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant indicated that officers hid behind a shrub near their front window to apprehend an alleged criminal. When the complainant confronted the officers, the officers were rude. Received: March 26, 2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-16 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that an officer did not take a report of a hate crime against the complainant. Received: March 27, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-17 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that an officer addressed him as a female name. The complainant also indicated that the officer gave their unsolicited political opinion in an effort to influence the complainant. Received: March 27, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-18 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant was denied entrance to a shelter, which they subsequently tried to report to the Spokane Police department. No officer responded to her request that an officer meet her in-person. Received: April 14, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-19 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that responding officers to their report of an assault did not contact them first and asked for their identification, but did not do so with the other neighbors the officers spoke with. Received: April 15, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-20 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that the responding officers made comments that were rude and the officers were slow to respond. Officers also asked for their identification, but did not do so with the other neighbors the officers spoke with. Received: April 16, 2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-21 A Demeanor complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant advised that a plain clothes detective approached a child on the street and did not identify as police until later in the conversation. Received: April 28, 2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-22 A Demeanor complaint was received by the Office of Police Ombudsman. The complainant indicated that an officer approached them while outside in the early morning hours stating that the complainant was the individual the officer viewed on a security camera video at the time of a robbery at a local grocery store. The citizen tried to provide proof to the officer indicating otherwise, but it was not accepted. The complainant also indicated that the officer kept another individual standing for over an hour on crutches. Received: May 13, 2015
District: 2
Status: Pending
Ombudsman Findings:
Chief's Findings:
Officer Discipline:
OPO: 15-23 A Fail to Provide Name and Badge Number complaint was received by OPO.  Officer claimed to have a warrant to take complainant in for a mental health evaluation, and if complainant refused, she would be handcuffed and forced to go.  Complainant demanded officer's name and supervisor.  Information was not provided. Received: 5/28/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-24 A Collusion between Crime Check and CPS complaint was received by OPO via walk in.. Complainant called Crime Check 7x before receiving police assistance. Crime Check dispatcher laughed at her and mocked her and that Child Protective Services was in collusion with Crime Check. Received: 6/4/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-25 A Demeanor complaint was received by OPO via USPS.  An officer approached her car at night while she was sleeping in a parking lot with the owner's permission.  The detective who reviewed footage on the incident couldn't see the officer grabbing the complainant's car door, while complainant asserts it is clear.  Citizen requests answers as to why an officer's behavior was out of control and desires officer reprimand. Received: 6/5/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-26

A Demeanor complaint was received by OPO via walk in.  Complainant was listening to police scanners and repeatedly heard the term "constitutionalist."  Complainant interpreted this as negative political description and wants to know what is the policy for using such a term.

Received: 6/12/2015
District: N/A
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-27 A Threats from Officer complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was beaten and threatened a slow death by the police during hospital stays and arrest days in the last year. Further, complainant was taken to an unknown place in the hospital, leaving him fearing for his safety. Received: 6/15/2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-28 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Officer wrongfully arrested her on domestic violence charges against her husband. Officer gave her car keys to her husband, who was clearly intoxicated with tendency to have epileptic seizures. Lastly, witness listed in police report is incorrect and the testimony provided is a lie. Received: 6/16/2015
District: N/A
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-29 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was involved in a confrontational situation that required police assistance. Responding officer would not let her speak during the whole process. Further, complainant is dissatisfied with the 45 minute response time. Received: 6/16/2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-30 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via web form. Recurring noise issue was reported to SPD and has not been resolved, despite multiple reports made to Crime Check and COPS shop. Referred to Washington State Patrol. Received: 6/29/2015
District: SW
Status: N/A
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-31 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was involved in a confrontational situation that required police assistance. Responding officer would not let her speak during the whole process. Further, complainant is dissatisfied with the 45 minute response time. Received: 6/16/2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-32 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was involved in a confrontational situation that required police assistance. Responding officer would not let her speak during the whole process. Further, complainant is dissatisfied with the 45 minute response time. Received: 6/29/2015
District: N/A
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-33 A Speeding complaint was received by OPO via web form. Two officers in separate vehicles sped by with sirens on. Officer was driving 60 miles per hour in a residential area rose to the level of reckless driving. Received: 6/29/2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-34 A Harassment complaint was received by OPO via web form. An officer has taken improper measures to evict complainant from her home in the officer's residential neighborhood. The officer has made false accusations to strengthen her eviction case by telling Complainant's neighbors she is involved in drug activities and has criminals for visitors. The same officer made a false and misleading police report regarding Complainant to get her evicted. Received: 7/8/2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-35 An Inadequate response complaint was received by OPO via web form. Responding officer was rude, implied he' use his weapon against the complainant, who was unarmed and is disabled. Further, officer told complainant it was fine to hide a stolen car and complainant was trying to get the person who stole the car in trouble. Received: 7/11/2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-36 An Uncategorized complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant made complaint on behalf of his daughter. His daughter' car was broken into and items were stolen. When complainant tried to report incident to SPD, he was told police don' investigate "cav prowling" and wouldn' take finger prints. 911 also wouldn' take complaint. Received: 7/16/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-37 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via web form. Complainant has witnessed SPD officers enter a home believed to sell cocaine, heroin, and run prostitution activities, multiple times a day as if involved in the operation. Complainant believes officers are being paid for information or protection. Received: 7/15/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-38 A Careless Handling and Disclosure of Confidential Information complaint was received by OPO via email. Complainant requested a welfare check in her professional capacity. However, personal information was included in the report and does not feel safe having her private information disclosed in a police report. Responding officer said he couldn' do anything to remedy the situation. Complainant finds this unacceptable and fears for her and her family' safety. Received: 7/21/2015
District: N/A
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-39 An Inadequate response complaint was received by OPO via web form. Complainant called Crime Check regarding an ongoing theft of his bicycle and received no response. Received: 8/3/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-40 A Biased Policing and Harassment complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was cited for sitting/lying in a retail zone while exercising 1st Amendment rights of freedom of religion, speech, and assembly. Complainant is being targeted for his mental disability and for being poor. Received: 8/10/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-41 A Racism complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant suffered from racial discrimination at the Spokane Public Library. Received: 8/13/2015
District: 2
Status: Administratively Suspended
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-42 A Driving Complaint was received by OPO via web form. Officer did not yield to him, who had the right of way, and in the following intersection, the officer did not yield to pedestrians. Received: 8/13/2015
District: 3
Status: Administratively Suspended
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-43 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was arrested for sitting/lying on a sidewalk near businesses. Complainant was discriminated against for being houseless and officer committed an illegal U-turn. Received: 8/17/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-44 An Improper Parking complaint was received by OPO via web form. A SPD patrol vehicle was abandoned in a no parking zone that partially blocked traffic in the ambulance only zone at Sacred Heart Hospital. There was no ongoing emergency and there was ample street parking one block south of where vehicle was observed. Complainant expressed frustration regarding officer abusing discretion, which contributes to SPD losing public trust and credibility. Received: 8/21/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-45 A Careless Handling complaint was received by OPO via email. Complainant' husband was assaulted by Sacred Heart Hospital security. Couple reported incident to SPD but was refused further investigation because SPD was understaffed. Further, officer who created police report entered incorrect incident number and listed incident as simple assault when complainant feels the resulting assault amounts to more than simple assault. Received: 8/26/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-46 An Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via web form. Complainant missed the window to submit documents to detective investigating case. After complainant tried to reach the detective again, the detective no longer entertained complainant despite having the documents. Complainant filed a new complaint and dealt with a new officer. The new officer claimed to be short staffed and refused to assign complaint. Complainant was blamed as the reason the case was suspended. Received: 9/29/2015
District: 3
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-47 A Demeanor complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was evicted from home with the assistance of four unidentified SPD officers. SPD acted under complainant' landlord' direction, who had a personal vendetta against complainant. SPD was rude to complainant, which amounted to a violation of his civil rights. He did not receive notice of inspection/eviction, he was not allowed to reenter home, and when he was allowed inside it was only to retrieve limited items with an SPD escort. Received: 10/23/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-48 An Uncategorized complaint was received by OPO via email. SPD responded to an incident where complainant' son' foot was run over by an SUV. Officers did not assist the victim, instead blamed the victim and arrested him without speaking to witnesses. When Complainant attempted to explain the situation, officers threatened to take complainant to jail. An officer mocked the victim falling down and the other officers joined in laughter. Another officer said he would destroy the victim' football career and tell his coach and principals of the incident. Received: 10/27/2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: Concur
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-49 A Demeanor complaint was received by OPO via web form. Officers responding to a Crime Check call were rude and offensive to Complainant. Received: 10/27/2015
District: 1
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-50 A Biased Policing complaint was received by OPO via web form. Officer accused Complainant of putting herself in danger of being raped for walking the streets at 2:15am. Complainant requested a ride home from the officer and was denied. Received: 11/3/2015
District: 3
Status: Administratively Suspended
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-51 An Unlawful Search/False Reporting/False Statement complaint was received by OPO via USPS. Officer committed wrongful actions and false statements, wrongful and unconsented search and seizure of property without cause, impounding Complainant' car without contacting its owner, wrongful statement on bench warrant, officer intentionally left off body camera, perjury, failure to release dog to requested person, threat of arrest of friend for obstruction, and willfully suppressed evidence. Received: 11/16/2015
District: N/A
Status: Pending
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: TBD
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-52 An Abuse of Authority and Loss of Property complaint was received by OPO via web form. An officer acitively targets Complainant' son. Officer failed to place her son' bicycle into property on more than one occasion. Complainant wants her son' bicyle back and have officer reprimanded. Received: 11/17/2015
District: 2
Status: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: Closed as Investigative Inquiry
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-53 A Biased Policing complaint was received by OPO via walk in. Complainant was refused police services by responding officer bceause he is 1/2 African American. Received: 11/19/2015
District: 2
Status: Administratively Suspended
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 15-54 A Bias, Demeanor, Failure to Take Complaint, and Inadequate Response complaint was received by OPO via web form. Police are aware of 3 shootings on separate occasions in Complainant' neighborhood, yet SPD only sends patrol officers during off hours, not the hours the reported shootings occurred. Received: 12/17/2015
District: 1
Status: Administratively Suspended
Ombudsman Findings: TBD
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A

Contact Information

Office of Police Ombudsman
1st Floor, City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: 509.625.6742
Fax: 509.625.6748
Regular Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
opo@spokanecity.org

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Police Ombudsman

Luvimae Omana
Deputy Ombudsman

Christina Coty
Administrative Specialist

Tim Szambelan
Police Ombudsman Attorney