2025 Recommendations

Number Recommendation PD Response Status
R25-1 SPD should implement standards for supervisory responsibility. At the same time, to ensure the likelihood of supervisor success, SPD should continuously provide training on proper evaluations of policies and should mandate formal follow up when a senior officer disagrees with a subordinate's analysis. I have referred to 2026 as the Year of the Sergeant, reflecting our intentional focus on strengthening first-line supervision as the foundation of organizational performance, risk management, and constitutional policing. Implemented
R25-2 SPD should update the purpose of Policy 302.2 so that review boards are an oversight mechanism for maintaining the integrity of the department's force policy. It should also serve as an accountability tool that ensures supervisors are fully and fairly conducting force reviews and investigations as well as evaluating policies, training, tactics, and equipment of the department Policy 302 is in the process of being updated and will include language from this recommendation In Progress
R25-3 Internal Affairs should play a more significant role in evaluating all reviewable use of force cases to determine if further investigation is necessary so that all the investigative questions are answered before the chain of command conducts its review. Internal Affairs should open full investigations on all cases that involve potential policy violations. We do not currently have adequate staffing for an in-depth review of each use of force. If IA, or anyone else in the chain of commanf, become aware of misconduct while reviewing a use of force, a complaint is entered in BlueTeam. Partially Implemented
R25-4 SPD should consider restructuring its review boards to increase their effectiveness in evaluating the department. Under the post-disciplinary model, the OPO recommends SPD consider changes that formalize the review board proceedings, require members complete annual review board training, have involved officers' supervisors brief the board and include a community member for a diverse perspective. With respect to community perspective, the review boards currently include participation from the Office of the Police Ombuds (OPO), which serves as an independent and impartial voice in the process. We value that participation and recognize the importance of community trust and transparency in these reviews. The concept of adding a separate community member is worth consideration; however, it can pose challenges such as, sustaining consistency, confidentiality, and informed participation within a constantly changing board structure presents practical difficulties. Not Implemented
R25-5 SPD should require members complete annual review board training. Topics should include legal updates on force, use of force investigations, de-escalation, department liability, risk management, as well as being familiar with the WSCJTC's Applied Training Skills Use of Force Program philosophies. I agree that training needs to be provided for the members of the review board and the topics listed here are a consideration. Due to fiscal constraints, we cannot currently implement this recommendation for the full board, however, it is possible to develop training for the command board members annually for updates. In Progress
R25-6 SPD should place a maximum number of days to conduct a use of force review to ensure cases are reviewed in as expedient a fashion as practicable. Use of force reviews are required to be completed within 180 days of the date of the incident. Implemented
R25-7 Extensive and repetitive training should be conducted with all supervisors tasked with supervisory reviews. SPD's lead defensive tactics instructor's guidance on how supervisors should respond to use of force investigations should be refined, formalized, and widely disseminated to all supervisors. Sergeants are required to attend monthly training and a variety of topics are covered. Many of the topics arise from review board conversations. I will have the topic of use of force supervisory reviews be a formal topic at least twice a year at these trainings. Implemented
R25-8 For consistency, SPD should only allow tactics listed in the Defensive Tactics Manual. This sets clear boundaries of what is permissible under SPD policy. The cornerstone of use of force techniques is influencing a subject's base, posture, and structure, with the ultimate goal of disrupting balance and gaining control. Due to the dynamic nature of physical confrontations, this manual cannot be all inclusive in respect to approved techniques. Officers can utilize reasonable techniques, not outlined in this manual, which aim to disrupt a subject's balance and gain control. The reasonableness of any technique utilized by an officer will be assessed through the holistic application of the objective reasonableness standard outlined in Federal Case Law, Washington State Law and the Spokane Police Department's use of force policy. (SPD C/DT Manual, Page 5). Implemented
R25-9 Supervisors should define and analyze de-escalation attempts in their reviews. Supervisors are asked to define and analyze de-escalation attempts in their reviews. More specifically, the use of force analysis form introduced in 2025 has a de-escalation tactics section in which a supervisor must analyze associated de-escalation tactics related to their review. Implemented
R25-10 SPD should ensure conclusions made in the use of force review process and any conclusionary findings made in general should be limited to "within policy or training" or "outside policy or training" only. Additionally, SPD should review and update its policy for the same limitations. I agree with this recommendation. This recommendation has previously been implemented however we are working on better mechanisms to ensure compliance with the language. Implemented
R25-11 The OPO recommends that SPD supervisors evaluate and provide findings for officer actions using both the Use of Force policy and the De-escalation policy every time that there is a reviewable use of force. Additionally, supervisors should also evaluate officer tactics and provide instructive guidance in non-reviewable uses of force when possible, using both policies to clarify expectations and reinforce training. Supervisors have been provided an IA Supervisor Use of Force Review template which includes a review of the following policies: when physical force is authorized (301.5), de-escalation tactics (300), threat factors determining whether to use physical force (301.4.I.(a)), resistance – determining whether to use physical force (301.4.I(b)), least amount of force necessary – requirement to use reasonable care – 301.4.II), termination of force – assessing level of force – when to terminate (301.7), alternative force options attempted/utilized. Implemented
R25-12 The OPO recommends that the Spokane Police Department update Policy 300 – De-escalation and Policy 301 – Use of Force to explicitly integrate the principles of the Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics program. The department will begin training the entire department on ICAT this year. As we continue to educate the entire department on ICAT, we will consider adding language from ICAT into our de-escalation and/or use of force policy. In Progress
R25-13 The OPO recommends that SPD review and revise its reporting practices to remove the use of "canned language" or template phrasing in officer reports, supervisory reviews, and Use of Force Review Board summaries and instead use a chronological narrative format with plain language and descriptors that are consistent with the officer's perceptions and actions in the moment. The department's Control Defensive Tactics instructors have been emphasizing during trainings to not rely on "canned" or "boiler plate" phrasing and to describe in detail the techniques utilized. Officers, for the most part, utilize a chronological format but have been trained to include the Graham Factors throughout their report where appropriate. Implemented

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

George Perezvelez
Deputy Police Ombuds

Christina Coty
Executive Assistant

Tim Szambelan
Police Ombuds Attorney