Council revises process for investigations of Seattle police chief, expands oversight reporting

The Seattle City Council on June 3 passed Council Bill 120977, which revises procedures for investigating complaints that implicate the chief of police and clarifies coordination among oversight bodies.

Councilmember Ben Kettle, chair of the Public Safety Committee and sponsor of the bill, told the council the measure responds to operational challenges OPA and other oversight bodies faced under prior restrictions. Kettle said the changes were driven by recent caseloads and the need for comprehensive intake, timely investigations and clearer notification processes. He said the legislation will also strengthen coordination between the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Community Police Commission (CPC).

Kettle noted the city had received more than 70 complaints related to the chief of police, which strained existing processes and limited OPA’s ability to perform comprehensive intake when civilian supervisors were not available. The bill updates notification requirements, clarifies investigative authority, and adapts the process to allow timely, thorough and objective investigations.

The bill passed on a 9-0 roll-call vote. The council’s passage authorizes the updated investigation processes; implementation will involve OPA, OIG and the CPC coordinating quarterly reporting and operational practices to ensure investigations proceed promptly.

Next steps: OPA and OIG will implement updated intake and investigation procedures and report quarterly to the council and the community police commission on progress and caseload handling.