Demonstration Complaint Dashboard

2020 Protest Investigations

From May 30, 2020 through the end of the year, OPA was contacted over 19,000 times about SPD's conduct at and response to various demonstrations. The web complaints, emails, phone calls, and other feedback resulted in 145 investigations, listed below. Some of these investigations are comprised of thousands of complaints about a single incident.

Please note that only protest-related complaints from 2020 incidents will show on the Demonstration Complaint Dashboard.

  • Allegations of excessive force are abbreviated as "EF".
  • Generally, for discipline to be imposed, OPA must complete its investigation and issue findings within 180 days. Certain circumstances allow OPA to request an extension to the 180-day timeline or "toll" the timeline during a period when OPA cannot work on it. Examples of these circumstances include unavailability of the involved/witness employee or union representative; the OPA Director position becomes vacant due to unforeseen exigent circumstances; the case has been referred to an external agency for criminal investigation; or another reason beyond the control of SPD.
  • Some complaints do not follow the standard investigation steps listed below, such as complaints where OPA is unable to identify the involved employee(s).

  1. Receiving/processing complaint information (0% to <5%)
  2. Collecting and reviewing known videos & documents (5% to <15%)
  3. Attempting to interview complainants/eyewitnesses (15% to <25%)
  4. Identifying involved officers and/or chain of command (25% to <30%)
  5. In-depth analysis of videos, documents, & statements (30% to <45%)
  6. Classifying policy violation allegations (45% to <50%)
  7. Interviewing named and witness employees (50% to <65%)
  8. Completing investigation report; submitting for review by the Office of Inspector General (65% to <80%)
  9. Reviewing investigation; drafting findings (80% to <95%)
  10. Transmitting findings to the chain of command (95% to <100%)
  11. Findings issued - OPA case completed (100%)

Completed Investigations

Each not sustained finding is accompanied by one of five explanations, which you can learn more about in the Findings section of the Complaint Process page.

Date Posted Case # Complaint Date Occurred Finding
9/4/20 2020OPA-0337 Radio threat against protesters 6/2/20 Not Sustained
9/18/20 2020OPA-0322 EF - child pepper sprayed 5/30/20 Not Sustained
Video link
9/18/20 2020OPA-0324 EF - officer knee on necks 5/30/20 Partially Sustained
9/18/20 2020OPA-0348 Inappropriate comment 6/4/20 Sustained
9/18/20 2020OPA-0350 EF - officers pushed protesters back from barricade 6/5/20 Not Sustained
9/18/20 2020OPA-0375 EF - officers pushed down elderly man 5/30/20 Not Sustained
10/23/20 2020OPA-0323 EF - officers punching during arrest 5/29/20 Partially Sustained
10/23/20 2020OPA-0363 Bicycle officers moved protesters 6/7/20 Partially Sustained
Video link
10/23/20 2020OPA-0383 EF - physical force & unprofessionalism at barricade 6/6/20 Not Sustained
Video link
10/23/20 2020OPA-0402 EF - gun pointed at peaceful protester 6/2/20 Not Sustained
10/23/20 2020OPA-0438 Biased arrest of protester 6/5/20 Not Sustained
11/13/20 2020OPA-0352 Unprofessional comment on open radio 6/7/20 Partially Sustained
11/13/20 2020OPA-0353 Retaliatory arrest of man who filmed child pepper sprayed 6/6/20 Not Sustained
11/13/20 2020OPA-0395 EF - baton strike to face while clearing CHOP 7/1/20 Not Sustained
Video link
12/4/20 2020OPA-0331 Officers damaging storefront 5/30/20 Not Sustained
12/4/20 2020OPA-0362 Almost striking protesters with vehicle 6/1/20 Not Sustained
12/4/20 2020OPA-0564 EF - forceful arrest by SPD and outside agency officers 5/30/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0325 Officer identification issues Multiple Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0326 Body-worn video not activated Multiple Not Sustained
Management Action
12/23/20 2020OPA-0371 Almost striking protesters with vehicle 5/29/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0379 EF - 40mm projectile deployment 6/1/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0406 Protester arrested for violating curfew, property missing 7/1/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0417 EF - individual pepper sprayed 5/30/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0420 EF - individual pepper sprayed 5/31/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0454 EF - officer lunged at, knocked over protester with baton  5/30/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0457 EF - gun pointing and protesters tackled 6/1/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0548 EF - officer threw plastic bottle at protester 6/3/20 Not Sustained
12/23/20 2020OPA-0553 EF - officers used bikes to shove protesters, deployed rubber bullets & pepper spray 5/30/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0330 EF - officers punching during arrest 5/31/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
1/15/21 2020OPA-0332 EF - neck restraint 5/31/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
1/15/21 2020OPA-0333 EF - blast ball injury to reporter 6/1/20 Partially Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0334 EF - overly aggressive crowd dispersal tactics Multiple Partially Sustained
*Reversed by Chief
1/15/21 2020OPA-0335 EF - blast ball injury to man sleeping 6/1/20 Partially Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0343 EF - pepper spray during arrest 6/5/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0344
Part 1
Part 2
EF - blast balls hit woman & targeted medic tent (June 7) 6/7/20 Partially Sustained
Management Action
1/15/21 2020OPA-0367 EF - officer shoved protester & other officers ignored (May 30) 5/30/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0373 EF - pepper spray & knee on neck 6/4/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0377 EF - individual targeted with 40mm projectile 6/2/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0419 EF - blast ball foot injury 5/31/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
1/15/21 2020OPA-0423 EF - protester shoved with bike 6/7/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0425 EF - blast ball foot injury & dishonest social media report 6/7/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
1/15/21 2020OPA-0427 EF - grabbing umbrella from protester & foul language 6/7/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0428 EF - protesters hit with blast balls, baton 6/6/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0429 Failure to render timely aid to protester shot by driver 6/7/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0437 Bike officer false arrest of woman for assault 5/31/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0439
Part 1
EF - protester trampled, shoved, pepper sprayed 6/7/20 Partially Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0486 SWAT officers unprofessional 6/8/20 Partially Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0543 EF - officer rode bike into protester, pepper sprayed another 5/31/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0550 EF - blast balls & tear gas used on individual in wheelchair 6/6/20 Not Sustained
1/15/21 2020OPA-0571 Officer cut straps to arrestee's backpack 5/31/20 Not Sustained
2/5/21 2020OPA-0328 EF - blast ball deployment & thumb injury 5/30/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
2/5/21 2020OPA-0403 Unlawful arrest of journalist while clearing CHOP 7/1/20

Not Sustained
Management Action

2/5/21 2020OPA-0489 EF - officers tackled, injured, arrested complying protester 7/2/20 Partially Sustained
2/5/21 2020OPA-0538 EF - neck restraint during arrest 7/2/20 Not Sustained
2/26/21 2020OPA-0389 EF - injury during arrest 7/1/20 Not Sustained
2/26/21 2020OPA-0398
Part 1
SPD facilitated FBI interview without lawyer present 7/1/20 Not Sustained
2/26/21 2020OPA-0471 EF - nurse in scrubs pepper sprayed 7/25/20 Not Sustained
2/26/21 2020OPA-0477 EF - journalists pepper sprayed 7/25/20 Partially Sustained
Management Action
2/26/21 2020OPA-0490 EF - protester pepper sprayed 7/25/20 Not Sustained
2/26/21 2020OPA-0561 EF - forceful arrest while clearing CHOP 7/2/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0358 EF - several baton strikes 6/1/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0469 EF - blast ball thrown at journalist 7/25/20

Not Sustained
Video link

3/19/21 2020OPA-0483 EF - individual injured by projectiles & chemical gas (July 25) 7/25/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0484
Part 1
Part 2
EF - protester dragged, hit with baton 7/25/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
3/19/21 2020OPA-0491 EF - officer tackled protester, placed knee on neck 7/25/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0510 EF - officers grabbed umbrella, pepper sprayed protester 7/25/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0524 False arrest of protester 7/25/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0526 EF - officers retaliated against protesters 8/12/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0529 EF - force used on volunteers in Cal Anderson park 8/15/20 Not Sustained
3/19/21 2020OPA-0536
Part 1
Part 2
EF - blast balls & arrest of compliant protester 7/25/20 Not Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0494 EF - officers grabbed umbrella, pepper sprayed protesters 7/25/20 Partially Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0512 EF - protesters shoved, kicked in Cal Anderson park 8/15/20 Not Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0531 Inappropriate comment by officers in unmarked car 8/14/20 Partially Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0533 EF - bike officers made forceful arrest 8/16/20 Not Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0544
Part 1
EF - protester pepper sprayed 6/1/20 Not Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0555 EF - officers pepper sprayed, shoved peaceful protester 7/25/20 Not Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0556 EF - officers shoved, arrested protester while clearing CHOP 7/1/20 Not Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0557
Part 1
EF - journalist pepper sprayed 8/26/20 Partially Sustained
4/9/21 2020OPA-0665 EF - force during arrest 9/7/20 Partially Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0430 EF - blast balls, 40mm launcher used on protester 6/8/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0451 EF - blast ball buttock injury & pepper spray 6/8/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0467
Part 1
EF - officers falsely arrested, dragged woman having seizure 7/25/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0495 EF - blast ball injury to protester 7/26/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
4/30/21 2020OPA-0515 Officer drove onto sidewalk, nearly hitting protesters (August 13) 7/25/20 Partially Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0522 Officer played "Bad Boys" song, taunting protesters 7/26/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0569 EF - officers tackled male in Cal Anderson Park 9/1/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0585 EF - officer shoved woman who hit her head 9/7/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0586 Officer antagonized protesters 9/7/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0587
Part 1
EF - officers charged at protesters outside of SPOG 9/7/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0611 EF - pepper spray directed at a group 7/19/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0613 Officer pictured posing with pepper spray 9/15/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
4/30/21 2020OPA-0644 EF - blast ball ankle injury 7/25/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
4/30/21 2020OPA-0664 Hostile comments to arrestee 9/15/20 Not Sustained
4/30/21 2020OPA-0666 EF - force during arrest 10/17/20 Not Sustained
5/21/21 2020OPA-0628 EF - protester shot with rubber bullet 7/25/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
5/21/21 2020OPA-0636 Arrest of individual providing supplies to protesters 10/3/20 Not Sustained
5/21/21 2020OPA-0660 Officer took no action after witnessing assault 10/16/20 Not Sustained
5/21/21 2020OPA-0673
Part 1
EF - officer threw man to the ground 9/23/20 Not Sustained
5/21/21 2020OPA-0739 EF - pepper spray used on non-combative subject 7/1/20 Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0674 Officer sparked Taser in a threatening manner 9/15/20 Not Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0684 EF - officer tackled protester 10/31/20 Not Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0707 EF - officer failed to document baton strike 5/31/20 Not Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0717 EF - protester pushed while handcuffed 10/14/20 Not Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0726 False arrest of peaceful protesters 11/14/20 Not Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0732 EF - Officers tackled man with cane 11/27/20 Not Sustained
6/11/21 2020OPA-0741 Misuse of Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) 11/27/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
7/2/21 2020OPA-0759 EF - neck restraint and unlawful arrest 12/18/20 Not Sustained
7/2/21 2020OPA-0762 EF - pepper spray and slamming protester's head into ground 8/26/20 Not Sustained
8/12/21 2020OPA-0588 EF - neck restraint 9/7/20 Not Sustained
10/4/21 2020OPA-0354 Neglect of duty to protect & serve East Precinct 6/8/20 Not Sustained
10/4/21 2020OPA-0601 EF - baton strike Unknown Not Sustained
10/27/21 2020OPA-0439
Part 2
EF - protester trampled, shoved, pepper sprayed 6/7/20 Not Sustained
11/16/21 2020OPA-0582 EF - officers fractured protester's head 9/7/20 Partially Sustained
11/16/21 2020OPA-0443 EF - protester shoved for refusing to move 6/7/20 Partially Sustained
12/7/21 2020OPA-0436 EF - bike officer intentionally knocked protester over 6/6/20 Partially Sustained
12/7/21 2020OPA-0606 EF - officer rolled bike over protester's head 9/23/20 Partially Sustained
12/16/21 2020OPA-0357 EF - protester punched & pepper sprayed 5/30/20 Not Sustained
1/5/22 2020OPA-0749 False radio transmission on Proud Boys activity 6/8/20 Sustained
1/27/22 2020OPA-0376 Officers told people to get off of their own rooftops 6/2/20 Not Sustained
1/27/22 2020OPA-0441 EF - blast balls struck protester attempting to disperse 6/7/20 Not Sustained
1/27/22 2020OPA-0463 SPD did not follow up with 911 caller in CHOP 6/14/20 Not Sustained
2/8/22 2020OPA-0583
Part 1
EF - SPD incited violence at protest outside of SPOG 9/7/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
2/8/22 2020OPA-0618
Part 1
EF - protesters pepper sprayed, shoving with bikes 9/26/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
2/11/22 2020OPA-0474 EF - officer grabbed umbrella, pepper sprayed protesters 7/25/20 Not Sustained
2/11/22 2020OPA-0492 EF - blast ball leg injury 7/25/20 Not Sustained
2/11/22 2020OPA-0607 Officer accelerated rapidly to intimidate protesters 8/14/20 Not Sustained
2/25/22 2020OPA-0470 EF - officers tackled, arrested bicyclist 7/25/20 Not Sustained
2/25/22 2020OPA-0549 EF - blast balls & tear gas used on peaceful protesters 6/6/20 Not Sustained
2/25/22 2020OPA-0617 EF - less lethal tools used to disperse crowd 9/23/20 Not Sustained
3/25/22 2020OPA-0329 Unsecured rifles in SPD vehicles 5/30/20 Not Sustained
Management Action
3/25/22 2020OPA-0499 EF - bike used to strike protester in the head 7/26/20 Not Sustained
4/14/22 2020OPA-0466 EF - NLG legal observers targeted 7/25/20 Not Sustained
4/22/22 2020OPA-0513 Officers broke vehicle window 8/14/20 Not Sustained
Management Action

2020 Demonstration Case Progress

EF - child pepper sprayed (May 30)EF - officers punching during arrest (May 29)EF - officer knee on necks (May 30)Officer identification issuesBody-worn video not activatedEF - protesters pepper sprayed (May 30)EF - blast ball deployment & thumb injury (May 30)Unsecured rifles in SPD vehicleEF - officers punching during arrest (May 31)Officers damaging storefront (May 30)EF - neck restraint (May 31)EF - blast ball injury to reporter (June 1)EF - overly aggressive crowd dispersal tactics (multiple days)EF - blast ball injury to man sleeping (June 1)Radio threat against protesters (June 2)EF - pepper spray during arrest (June 5)EF - blast balls hit woman & targeted medic tent (June 7)EF - tear gas used after 30-day ban (June 7)Inappropriate comment (June 4)EF - officers pushed protesters back from barricade (June 5)Unprofessional comments on open radio (June 7)Retaliatory arrest of man who filmed child pepper sprayed (June 6)Neglect of duty to protect & serve East PrecinctSharing misinformation about crime in CHAZ/CHOPEF - individual punched & pepper sprayed (May 30)EF - several baton strikes (June 1)Almost striking protesters with vehicle (June 1)Bicycle officers moved protesters (June 7)EF - officer shoved protester & other officers ignored (May 30)Almost striking protesters with vehicle (May 29)EF - pepper spray & knee on neck (June 4)EF - officers pushed down elderly man (May 30)Officers told people to get off of their own rooftops (June 2)EF - individual targeted with 40mm projectile (June 2)EF - 40mm projectile deployment (June 1)EF - physical force & unprofessionalism at barricade (June 6)Off-duty officer attempted to drive into protesters (July 4)EF - injury during arrest (July 1)EF - baton strike to face while clearing CHOP (July 1)SPD facilitated FBI interview without lawyer present (July 1)EF - gun pointed at peaceful protesters (June 2)Unlawful arrest of journalist while clearing CHOP (July 1)Protester arrested for violating curfew, property missing (July 1)EF - individual pepper sprayed (May 30)EF - blast ball foot injury (May 31)EF - individual pepper sprayed (May 31)EF - protester shoved with bike (June 7)EF - blast ball foot injury & dishonest social media report (June 7)EF - grabbing umbrella from protester & foul language (June 7)EF - protesters hit with blast balls, baton (June 6)Failure to render timely aid to protester shot by driver (June 7)EF - blast balls, 40mm launcher used on protester (June 8)EF - bike officer intentional knocked protester over (June 6)Bike officer false arrest of woman for assault (May 31)Biased arrest of protester (June 5)EF - individual trampled, shoved, pepper sprayed (June 7)EF - blast balls struck protester attempting to disperse (June 7)EF - protester shoved for refusing to move (June 7)EF - blast ball foot injury & pepper spray (June 8)EF - officer lunged at, knocked over protester with baton (May 30)EF - gun pointing and protesters tackled (June 1)SPD did not follow up with 911 caller in CHOP (June 14)EF - NLG legal observers targeted (July 25)EF - officers falsely arrested, dragged woman having seizure (July 25)EF - blast ball thrown at journalist (July 25)EF - officers tackled, arrested bicyclist (July25)EF - nurse in scrubs pepper sprayed (July 25)EF - overly aggressive crowd dispersal tactics (July 25)EF - officer grabbed umbrella, pepper sprayed protesters (July 25)EF - indiscriminate physical force, officer wore Blue Lives Matter mask (July 25)Chief lied about dispatch error during CHOP shooting (June 20)EF - journalists pepper sprayed (July 25)EF - protester injured by projectiles & chemical gas (July 25)EF - protester dragged, hit with baton (July 26)SWAT officers unprofessional (June 8)EF - officers tackled, injured, arrested complying protester (July 2)EF - protester pepper sprayed (July 25)EF - officer tackled protester, placed knee on neck (July 25)EF - blast ball leg injury (July 25)EF - officers grabbed umbrella, pepper sprayed protesters (July 25)EF - blast ball injury to protester (July 26)EF - bike used to strike protester in the head (July 26)EF - officers grabbed umbrella, pepper sprayed protester (July 25)EF - protesters shoved, kicked in Cal Anderson park (August 15)Officers broke vehicle window (August 14)Officer drove onto sidewalk, nearly hitting protesters (August 13)Officer played "Bad Boys" song, taunting protesters (July 26)False arrest of protester (July 25)EF - officers retaliated against protesters (August 12)EF - force used on volunteers in Cal Anderson (August 15)Inappropriate comment by officers in unmarked car (August 14)EF - bike officers made forceful arrest (August 16)EF - blast balls & arrest of compliant protester (July 25)EF - neck restraint during arrest (July 2)EF - officer rode bike into protester, pepper sprayed another (May 31)EF - protester pepper sprayed (June 1)EF - officer threw plastic bottle at protester (June 3)EF - blast balls & tear gas used on peaceful protesters (June 6)EF - blast balls & tear gas used on individual in wheelchair (June 6)EF - officers used bikes to shove protesters, deployed rubber bullets & pepper spray (May 30)EF - officers pepper sprayed, shoved peaceful protester (July 25)EF - officers shoved, arrested individual while clearing CHOP (July 1)EF - journalist pepper sprayed (August 26)EF - forceful arrest while clearing former CHOP (July 2)Officer slapped protester's hand recording on cell phone (July 4)EF - forceful arrest by SPD and outside agency officers (May 30)EF - officers tackled male in Cal Anderson Park (Sept 1)Officer cut straps to arrestee's backpack (May 31)EF - officers fractured protester's head (Sept 7)EF - SPD incited violence at protest outside of SPOG (Sept 7)EF - officer shoved woman who hit her head (Sept 7)Officer antagonized protesters (Sept 7)EF - officers charged at protesters outside of SPOG (Sept 7)EF - neck restraint (Sept 7)EF - baton strike (unknown date)EF - blast ball thrown into peaceful crowd (September 22)EF - officer rolled bike over protester's head (September 23)Officer accelerated rapidly to intimidate protesters (August 14)EF - pepper spray directed at a group (July 19)Officer pictured posing with pepper spray (September 15)EF - less lethal tools used to disperse crowd (September 23)EF - protesters pepper sprayed, shoving with bikes (September 26)Firearm pointed at live streamer through vehicle (September 28)EF - protester shot with rubber bullet (July 25)Arrest of individual providing supplies to protesters (October 3)EF - blast ball ankle injury (July 25)Officer took no action after witnessing assault (October 16)Hostile comments to arrestee (September 15)EF - Force during arrest (September 7)EF - Force during arrest (October 17)EF - officer threw man to the ground (September 23)Officer sparked Taser in a threatening manner (September 15)EF - Officer tackled protester (October 31)False arrest of individual (September 24)EF - Officers tackled during arrest, causing injury (November 4)EF - officer failed to document baton strike (May 31)EF - protester pushed while handcuffed (October 14)False arrest of peaceful protester (November 14)EF - officers tackled man with cane (November 27)EF - pepper spray used on non-combative subject (July 1)Misuse of Long Range Acoustic Device (November 27)False radio transmission on Proud Boys activity (June 8)EF - neck restraint and unlawful arrest (December 18)EF - pepper spray and slamming protester's head into ground (August 26)

Last updated 11/15/22

Office of Police Accountability

Gino Betts, Director
Address: 720 3rd Avenue, 18th Floor, Seattle, WA , 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA , 98124-4986
Phone: (206) 684-8797
opa@seattle.gov
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