Closing Reports
- C21-002 Closing Report and Recommendations with Appendix
This case was selected to be the subject of a closing report to highlight SPD’s analysis and critical examination of officer response to domestic violence calls. The Domestic Violence (DV) Unit reviews DV calls after officers have responded and written a police report and was able to bring charges against the suspect in this case. The officers’ supervisors were proactive in mentoring an involved officer and initiated a formal investigation process with Internal Affairs once they identified potential misconduct. The chain of command, and in this case the Administrative Review Panel (ARP), conducted a thorough review and identified some potential issues and requested follow up interviews from IA. (PDF 1.2 MB)
- F21-004 Closing Report and Recommendations with Appendix
This case was selected for a closing report to help illustrate the changes to state law and departmental changes enacted following George Floyd’s death in the summer of 2020. This incident occurred in January 2021, several months after the department updated its policies on neck restraints but before the new state law went into effect in July 2021. (PDF 373 KB)
- F20-045 Closing Report and Recommendations with Appendix
This case was first reviewed by the chain of command as a use of force review of F20-045 following a Level II Tactic2 and multiple TASER applications including one probe, one probe3 then drive stun, 4 and another drive stun which are reviewable uses of force under SPD Policy Manual 301.14.1. Under SPD Policy Manual 302 and following the chain of command review and finding, the Use of Force Review Board (UOFRB) reviewed this case in March 2021. The UOFRB reviews applications of non-deadly force after disciplinary decisions are final in order to evaluate training, equipment needs, and policy and standard operating procedures in place or practiced department-wide. (PDF 601 KB)
- F20-052 Closing Report and Recommendations
This case was reviewed by the chain of command and then by the Use of Force Review Board (UOFRB) due to the use of reportable uses of force; a Level 1 Lateral Neck Restraint (LNR) and a TASER application. The OPO’s opinions are based upon a careful review of incident reports; the BWC footage; the chain of command reviews; the UOFRB minutes; and first-hand knowledge from the OPO’s participation in those review boards. This report provides an analysis of issues identified through the use of force which allow for a policy and procedures report. (PDF 334 KB)
- F20-028 Closing Report and Recommendations
This report is based on an incident where a Level 1 and Level 2 Lateral Neck Restraints (LNR) and multiple TASER applications were applied on an individual that was trespassing at a storage facility. The incident received a chain of command review for the reportable uses of force, Level 1 and 2 LNR in addition to multiple TASER applications. The OPO provides the department with 2 policy and training recommendations to improve policing and/or practices. (PDF 1.0 MB)
- F20-049/A20-042/P20-014 Closing Report and Recommendations
This report is based on an incident involving officers responding to a domestic violence call where the suspect fled on foot. The suspect returned to the scene and stole an unlocked police vehicle that was running leading to a pursuit. The case received a chain of command review and then by the Collision/Pursuit Review Board and the Use of Force Review Board. The OPO provides the department with 2 policy and training recommendations to improve policing and/or practices. (PDF 1.0 MB)
- F20-033/C20-090/OPO 20-59 Closing Report and Recommendations
This report is based on an incident where a TASER was applied to a juvenile who was threatening self-harm and others. The incident received a chain of command review for the reportable use of force, a TASER application, and an internal investigation following a community complaint filed with the OPO. The complaint alleges excessive use of force. The OPO analyzes the policy on accepting complaints with concerns of a pending lawsuit, advisements when phone calls are being recorded, and de-escalation. The OPO provides the department with 4 policy and training recommendations to improve policing and/or practices. (PDF 974 KB)
- A20-038/C20-081 Closing Report and Recommendations
This report is based on an incident involving an officer getting into a traffic accident in a city-owned vehicle while on a personal appointment and off-duty. The case received a chain of command review for the collision and an internal investigation after an internal complaint was filed. The complaint alleges policy violations of individually assigned vehicles and authorized passengers. The OPO analyzes the scope of evaluating whether a collision is preventable or not, liability issues, and expectations when a take-home vehicle is issued and policy acknowledgements. The OPO provides the department with 3 policy and training recommendations to improve policing and/or practices. (PDF 551 KB)
- C19-040 Closing Report and Recommendations
The Office of the Police Ombuds closing report on Internal Affairs case C19-040 is from an incident from February 2019 that involves allegations of excessive use of force during a K9 deployment. The OPO analyzes the internal review process, tactics officers employed, and then provides the department with 23 policy and training recommendations to improve policing practices. (PDF 2.4 MB)
- SPD issued a response to the recommendations contained in the C19-040 Closing Report. (PDF 545 KB)
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
