Seattle Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Office Police Accountability — the civilian oversight body for Seattle. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Office Police AccountabilityHow easy is it to share feedback with Seattle?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 10/23/2024.
Seattle Police Department (WA)
How to file a complaint about a Seattle Police Department officer
The Seattle Police Department serves roughly 753,786 residents. If you had a problem with an officer, you have three distinct ways to file a complaint — and they are not equivalent. Here is how each one works in Seattle, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Office Police Accountability — independent civilian oversight
The Office Police Accountability is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Seattle Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. It accepts anonymous complaints, so you can file without giving your name. No notarization is required to file.
- File online with the Office Police Accountability
- How the Office Police Accountability complaint process works
- By phone: (206) 684-8797
- In person or by mail: 720 3rd Avenue, 18th Floor, Seattle WA 98104
- Office Police Accountability website
2. Seattle Police Department Office of Police Accountability — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Office of Police Accountability are investigated inside the department itself. The department has not publicly confirmed whether anonymous complaints are investigated.
- Email: opa@seattle.gov
- Phone: (206) 684-8797
- In person or by mail: 720 3rd Avenue, Seattle WA 98104
- Department page on the complaint process
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Office Police Accountability so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The Seattle Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- The department's Facebook, Instagram and X accounts accept direct messages — useful for quick questions, though social media is not a formal complaint channel and messages there generally aren't part of any official record.
- General department line: (206) 625-5011
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 10/23/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.