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NCRB urges clearer OPA processes after staff highlight missing recordings and documentation
Summary
Board discussion identified recurring gaps in OPA and chain-of-command investigations — unrecorded phone calls, incomplete addressing of complaint elements, and inconsistent investigative findings — and recommended staff follow up with OPA and recommend recording protocols and clearer investigative handling.
Several board members raised concerns that in multiple recent cases OPA and chain-of-command reviews did not consistently address all complaint elements and that phone-call recordings and court transcripts were often not available to reconcile differing recollections.
During discussion of case 20252817, staff said phone calls between the detective and the complainant were not recorded, which limited the ability to verify the exchange; board members asked staff to discuss with OPA leadership whether investigators can and should record follow-up phone calls and to press for investigative notes that address all referred allegations. One member said addressing all complaints in OPA reports would "save us a lot of time" and improve clarity in later review.
The board approved motions to accept staff recommendations and asked staff to follow up with OPA and the MPD chain of command on recording practices, investigative completeness and training for personnel tasked with interpreting orders and explaining next steps to complainants.
