Position Description

Responsibilities

The City of Seattle is recruiting a leader with an unwavering commitment to safety for all to lead the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), the independent, civilian-led police oversight agency of the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The Office of Police Accountability Director is responsible for the investigative and administrative functions of the police disciplinary process and manages the overall investigative, training, and administrative functions of the office. The Office of Police Accountability partners with the Inspector General for Public Safety and the Community Police Commission to generate public trust in the Seattle Police Department by upholding a culture of accountability and adherence to policy and constitutional law. The core functions of the Office of Police Accountability are:

Reviewing, classifying, and investigating allegations of Seattle Police Department employee misconduct.
Educating the community regarding police oversight processes and Office of Police Accountability services.
Raising public awareness through education.
Identifying Seattle Police Department policy deficiencies and providing effective solutions and training recommendations.
Helping reduce misconduct and enhancing positive Seattle Police Department employee conduct.

The Office of Police Accountability’s leadership are civilians, and the investigations team includes Seattle Police Department sergeants and civilian investigators. The Office is administratively within the Seattle Police Department but is physically and operationally independent. This ensures complete and immediate access to all Seattle Police Department controlled data, evidence, and personnel necessary for thorough and timely complaint handling.

Accountable to the mayor, this cabinet-level position leads a staff of 30 employees and has administrative oversight of an annual operating budget of $6.77 million.

Job Responsibilities

The Accountabilities Of The Director Include

Direct the Office of Police Accountability investigative process, classify all complaints, certify in writing the completion and recommended findings of all cases, ensure compliance with all deadlines - including investigation deadlines, and convey these recommendations to the Chief of Police, who is the final Police Department decision maker in disciplinary actions.
Ensure that the complaint process is timely, fair, impartial, consistent, thorough, understandable, and accessible for the public, employees, and complainants.
Attend employee due process hearings with the Chief of Police concerning possible employee discipline resulting from the Office of Police Accountability recommendations.
Provide analysis and recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding disciplinary action to promote consistency of discipline.
Partner with accountability partners, the Executive Director of the Community Police Commission and the Inspector General, as well as the Seattle Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office to reduce or prevent misconduct through identification of patterns or trends arising through complaints, investigations, and lawsuits.
Provide recommendations to the Chief of Police, Mayor, and City Council regarding the resources of the Office, including but not limited to budget and staffing.
Provide recommendations to the Chief of Police, Mayor and City Council regarding Seattle Police Department policies and practices related to police accountability and professional conduct.
Support access and understanding of the work of the Office and the complaint system by ensuring materials are readily understandable and that informational materials are culturally and linguistically appropriate and widely available to Seattle’s diverse residents.

Qualifications

This critical role requires a commitment to procedural justice and promoting constitutional policing through civilian oversight. The Director must be a civilian with legal, investigative, human resources, law enforcement oversight, or prosecutorial experience and cannot have previously served as a sworn officer of the Seattle Police Department. They are knowledgeable in law enforcement practices and oversight, union work environments, and the history of policing in the United States. To the role they bring experience in managing investigative caseloads, conducting police officer investigations and supervisory oversight in a law enforcement oversight function.

The Director is committed to the One Seattle vision of building a thriving, innovative, and equitable city all are proud to call home. They are a decisive, fair, and diplomatic leader who motivates others, respects diverse perspectives, and ensures equitable and just outcomes. Consistency, openness, and responsiveness are priorities, and they personally set the example throughout the organization and community. They approach the work with objectivity and carefully consider the implications and impact of their decisions across time and on others. A strong writer and legal researcher, they can edit the work of others and effectively evaluate the analysis and information supporting conclusions.

Additional Information

The Director, Office of Police Accountability is appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by a majority of the City Council and is subject to reappointment and reconfirmation. The initial appointment will be for an unexpired term that ends December 31, 2026, the Director is then eligible to be reappointment for up to three 4-year terms.

Salary: The salary for this position is determined by City ordinance and has been identified as $229,826.16 annually ($110.07/hour). This full-time position is classified as an Executive 3, is authorized for relocation assistance and is not covered by the Civil Service System.

Due to the fiduciary nature of the work, job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a detailed background check. The background check will involve an extensive criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records, and a driving history review in compliance with Federal, State and background requirements. In compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance SMC 14.17 applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Work Environment: This is an in-office position with limited opportunity for remote work. The Director will attend meetings at locations outside of the office and maybe required to work nights, evenings, or weekends.

Application Process: To be considered, submit a resume and cover letter through the City’s application portal. We encourage you to use your cover letter to discuss why you want to lead the Office of Police Accountability and your vision of police accountability. Your resume should be comprehensive and summarize the talent, experience, knowledge, and skills you bring to this critical leadership role. Applications received by Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 4:00PM PST will receive first consideration. The position will remain open to application until the position is filled.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

Who may apply: This position is open to all individuals whose experience, skills, and abilities are aligned with the qualifications presented above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch, Senior Executive Recruiter at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov.

Additional information about the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) is available at: https://www.seattle.gov/opa/

Seattle Office of Police Accountability

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Director, Office of Police Accountability