2023 Received Complaints

The following are complaints received by the ombuds and forwarded to the Internal Affairs Division of the Spokane Police Department for investigation in 2023.

Information last updated May 16, 2024

Case # Complaint Description Disposition
OPO: 23-01 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. Complainant had called SPD for assistance with their minor child. Responding officers did not provide assistance and made comments that were inapporpriate Received: 1/4/2023
District: 1
Status: Administratively Suspended - C
Ombuds Findings: 1/20/2023
Chief's Findings: 1/24/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-02 A Complaint came into the OPO via Phone. Complainant has a no contact order for death threats and physical assault. The order also includes cameras, photos etc. The complainant called police to report a violation of the protection order and the complainat stated that there was nothing done by responding officers Received: 1/10/2023
District: 3
Status: Sustained
Ombuds Findings: 6/28/2023
Chief's Findings: 7/10/2023
Officer Discipline: DOC and Verbal Counsel
OPO: 23-03 A Complaint came into the OPO via Phone. Complainant was frustrated that and officer was doing between 65-70mph in a construction zone on I-90 in Idaho without Emergency lights Received: 1/11/2023
District: N/A
Status: Administratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 2/7/2023
Chief's Findings: 2/9/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-04 A Complaint came into the OPO via Phone. Complainant stated that responding officers to a DV situation did not listen to them and they ended up being arrested Received: 1/12/2023
District: 2
Status: Adminstratively Suspended - C
Ombuds Findings: 2/8/2023
Chief's Findings: 2/9/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-05 Letter of Appreciation - Ride Along Received: 1/12/2023
District: N/A
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-06 Letter of Appreciation - Ride Along Received: 1/12/2023
District: N/A
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-07 Letter of Appreciation - Ride Along Received: 1/12/2023
District: N/A
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-08 A Commendation came into the OPO via social media. A community member had their generator stolen, and the SPD were able to locate it and return it back to the owner Received: 1/17/2023
District: 2
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-09 A Complaint came into the OPO via Phone. A Complainant was frustrated that responding officers to a burglary allegd made false statements pertaining to their mental health on the police report Received: 1/31/2023
District: 3
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 7/11/2023
Chief's Findings: 7/12/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-10 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. Complainant was concerned about their amount of force used on their son Received: 2/14/2023
District: 1
Status: Adminstratively Suspended - C
Ombuds Findings: 11/30/2023
Chief's Findings: 3/15/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-11 A Commendation came into the OPO via phone. Had a great conversation with an officer and believed him to be a great ambasador to Spokane Received: 2/22/2023
District: 3
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-12 A Complaint came into the OPO via web. A Community member was shopping in a store when multiple officers commanded him to get down. An officer kicked him in the chest when he was allegedly not getting down quicker. It turned out that this person was the wrong suspect Received: 2/22/2023
District: 2
Status: Officer 1: Closed - Unfounded Officer 2: Closed - Sustained
Ombuds Findings: 7/18/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/22/2023
Officer Discipline: Letter of Reprimand
OPO: 23-13 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member was frustrated with the demeanor of an officer who was refused to give his name and badge number to him after being asked 3 times and laughed at him. Received: 2/27/2023
District: 2
Status: Closed
Ombuds Findings: 8/16/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/17/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-14 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. Complainant was frustrated about the demeanor of officer who responded to a mental health crisis Received: 3/6/2023
District: 3
Status: Administratively Suspend - E
Ombuds Findings: 7/13/2023
Chief's Findings: 7/20/2323
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-15 A Commendation came into the OPO via phone. Upriver Dam wanted to thank the SPD officer who was able to redirect a person from trespassing onto the Dam Property Received: 3/13/2023
District: 3
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-16 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A Community member's son was involved in traffic accident and they believe appropriate steps were not taken to determine if the other party was potentially DUI and ended up citing the complainants son. Concerned that there may be a racial component. Received: 3/14/2023
District: 2
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 4/3/2023
Chief's Findings: 4/4/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-17 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A Community member was concerned about the driving and demeanor of an officer who was speeding and driving the wrong way into the Rogers HS parking lot. Received: 3/16/2023
District: 1
Status: Closed - Not Sustained
Ombuds Findings: 9/1/2023
Chief's Findings: 9/5/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-18 Commendation about an officer who helped a child with autism get to school who inadvertantly got lost Received: 3/28/2023
District: 3
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-19 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member alleges that while being arrested their arm was dislocated by an officers excessive force. Received: 3/29/2023
District: 2
Status: Administratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 4/13/2023
Chief's Findings: 5/8/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-20 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community members vehicle was towed and there was reason for it to be towed Received: 3/31/2023
District: 3
Status: Closed - Exonerated
Ombuds Findings: 4/12/2023
Chief's Findings: 4/17/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-21 A Complaint came into the OPO via Web. A community member is concerned that a Lt. is exhibiting biased policing involving protests and counter protests Received: 4/24/2023
District: 1
Status: Closed
Ombuds Findings: 8/17/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/17/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-22 A Complaint came into the OPO via Web. A community member had concerns regarding the response involving a kidnapped child Received: 4/27/2023
District: 2
Status: Adminstratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 7/18/2023
Chief's Findings: 7/27/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-23 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member witnessed an officer going the wrong way down a one way road and when they tried to talk to the officer the officer lurched his vehicle at them Received: 5/8/2023
District: 2
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 9/29/2023
Chief's Findings: 10/2/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-24 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. Complainant was frustrated with the lack of response involving people trespassing and threatening them Received: 5/31/2023
District: 2
Status: Administratively Suspended - F
Ombuds Findings: 6/22/2023
Chief's Findings: 6/26/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-25 A commendation came in to the OPO via web. A Tourist had a wonderful interaction with the officer while trying to leave downtown prior to the Lilac Parade Received: 5/19/2023
District: 2
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-26 A Complaint came into the OPO via email. A community member has concerns regarding the SPD's response to the TCAPP protest and potential biased policing Received: 5/19/2023
District: 2
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 8/17/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/17/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-27 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. Community member was made aware of a video taken that showed excessive force being used on a community member Received: 5/19/2023
District: 2
Status: Exonerated
Ombuds Findings: 8/8/2023
Chief's Findings: 9/2/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-28 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. Community members aleges that an officer is showing bias against them. The officer had their vehicle towed even though they are living inside the vehicle Received: 6/1/2023
District: 1
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 6/15/2023
Chief's Findings: 6/20/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-29 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member was frustrated that police got involved in a civil matter and helped to evict them, in addition the officers were patronizing, kept screaming in their faces and threatened them with arrest for obstruction of justice Received: 6/14/2023
District: 1
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 8/3/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/7/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-30 A complaint came into the OPO via web. A community member was frustrated that nothing has been done about a nuisance property and that 1 of the responding officers to the residence was condicending, not willing to listen and just rude Received: 7/5/2023
District: 3
Status: Administratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 7/27/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/17/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-31 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member was frustrated that due to circumstances beyond their control their were unable to get their property back from police property due to the time having lapsed Received: 7/10/2023
District: 2
Status: Administratively Suspended - A
Ombuds Findings: 8/17/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/17/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-32 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member was concerned that there was no response from SPD to a DV situation after being told that the police had responded Received: 7/7/2023
District: 3
Status: Officer 1: Closed - Unfounded Officer 2: Closed - Unfounded Officer 3: Exonerated
Ombuds Findings: 7/18/2023
Chief's Findings: 7/21/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-33 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. A Community member was concerned at the lack of investigation into a vehicle accident involving their child Received: 7/10/2023
District: 1
Status: Mediation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-34 A complaint came into the OPO via web. A community member had excessive force used on them during a DUI traffic stop. This resulted in a broken hand Received: 7/18/2023
District: 1
Status: Closed
Ombuds Findings: 8/10/2023
Chief's Findings: 8/14/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-35 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member was concerned about the use of force used on a man Received: 8/4/2023
District: 1
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 9/6/2023
Chief's Findings: 9/7/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-36 A complaint came into the OPO via Phone. A Community member mentioned to an officer that they were blocking a business driveway. The officer laughed and eluded to the fact that they didn't need to follow the rules because they were officers Received: 9/1/2023
District: 1
Status: Administratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 9/27/2023
Chief's Findings: 10/16/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-37 A Complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member had concerns about not being medically cleared from a DV event prior to being arrested Received: 6/12/2023
District: 1
Status: Administratively Suspended - C
Ombuds Findings: 6/27/2023
Chief's Findings: 6/27/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-38 A complaint came into the OPO via CM Zappone. Community member is concerned with a lack of response during potentially dangerous situations multiple times at a local medical facility Received: 9/8/2023
District: 3
Status: Inquiry
Ombuds Findings: 9/27/2023
Chief's Findings: 9/28/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-39 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. Complainant had concerns regarding how an officer approached their family member by allegedly being aggressive and rude Received: 9/13/2023
District: 3
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 10/11/2023
Chief's Findings: 10/16/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-40 Ride Along Letter of Appreciation Received: 9/22/2023
District: N/A
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-41 A Commendation came into the OPO via email. A Community member was very appreciative of the responding officer and chaplain for their relatives death Received: 9/22/2023
District: 3
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-42 A Commendation came into the OPO via email. A Community member was very appreciative of the responding officer and chaplain for their relatives death Received: 10/3/2023
District: 2
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-43 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. A community member was frustrated about an officer who used his PA system to get the community member to move over Received: 10/4/2023
District: 2
Status: Administratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 11/1/2023
Chief's Findings: 11/2/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-44 Ride Along Letter of Appreciation Received: 10/12/2023
District: 1
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-45 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. Community member is frustrated with no follow up after a burglary and continued requests for a returned call Received: 10/6/2023
District: 2
Status: Inquiry
Ombuds Findings: 11/2/2023
Chief's Findings: 11/13/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-46 A complaint came into the OPO via walk in. A community member was refused service at a business due to their medical condition. The responding officer allegedly recommended that the community member give up their rights as a disabled citizen Received: 10/13/2023
District: 1
Status: Administratively Suspended - E
Ombuds Findings: 11/2/2023
Chief's Findings: 11/2/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-47 Ride Along Letter of Appreciation Received: 10/31/2023
District: 3
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-48 Ride Along Letter of Appreciation Received: 10/31/2023
District: 1
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-49 A commendation came into the OPO via Web. Community member was happy with how the responding officer took control of a vehicle into a house accident. They felt like the officer went above and beyond Received: 11/16/2023
District: 3
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-50 A Commendation came into the OPO via phone. Sincerely appreciated how the responding officer arrived quickly and helped their spouse in an efficient and friendly manner Received: 11/28/2023
District: N/A
Status: Commendation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-51 A complaint came into the OPO via walk in. Community member is concerned with the lack of continuity between officers who responded to their stolen property concerns Received: 11/29/2023
District: 2
Status: Closed - Unfounded
Ombuds Findings: 1/18/2024
Chief's Findings: 1/24/2023
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-52 A complaint came into the OPO via phone. Community member witnessed an officer use aggressive behavior and language with a person who was informing them that the person being arrested was harmless Received: 12/11/2023
District: 1
Status: Verbal Counseling
Ombuds Findings: 1/17/2024
Chief's Findings: TBD
Officer Discipline: N/A
OPO: 23-53 Ride Along Letter of Appreciation Received: 10/12/2023
District: 2
Status: Letter of Appreciation
Ombuds Findings: N/A
Chief's Findings: N/A
Officer Discipline: N/A

 

Contact Information

Office of Police Ombuds
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 Ombuds

Luvimae Omana
Deputy Ombuds

Christina Coty
Executive Assistant

Tim Szambelan
Police Ombuds Attorney