October 7, 2022 - OIG received a rating of "Pass" as a result of its first independent peer review through the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA). Under Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), this review occurs every three years and provides assurance that performance audits conducted in the review period were in compliance with GAGAS. The results of the review can be found here.
July 28, 2022 - Attached is the report of an independent investigation of OIG OPA review functions. This work was initiated last summer after OIG staff noted potentially deficient work on the part of an OIG staff member. An immediate internal check was done which confirmed the initial concern. An independent investigator, Michael Gennaco of the OIR Group, was engaged by OIG to conduct an external review of the issues discovered by staff, including a detailed examination of the sufficiency of work by the employee and a review of the functioning of that unit. In addition to having an accurate accounting of the deficient work, it was important to understand how this situation was able to occur, so that OIG could institute systemic safeguards against future situations that could impact public trust.
July 13, 2022 - OIG has been made aware of a fraudulent letter purporting to be from “Lisa A. Judge, Washington State Auditor and Inspector General”. That office does not exist and the letter misrepresents Seattle Inspector General Lisa Judge. A sample of the letter can be found here. This is not a legitimate correspondence from the City of Seattle Inspector General. If you have information about this matter or receive communication of this sort, please feel free to reach out to OIG, and to contact the Washington State Office of the Attorney General and/or the FBI to make a report.
Apr. 15, 2021- OIG Tweet: The Council on Criminal Justice-Task Force on Policing released a report today with a new set of policy recommendations to boost police accountability for excessive force and other misconduct. https://cutt.ly/7vfseVA. The Council on Criminal Justice is an independent, non-partisan think tank that works to advance understanding of the criminal justice policy choices facing the nation and build consensus for solutions to these challenges.
Apr. 2, 2021 - OIG Tweet:NY Times article analyzes police responses to 2020 racial justice protests in cities across the country. https://cutt.ly/Fx3xOtg
Feb. 26, 2021 -OIG Tweet: Federal Court Monitor Antonio Oftelie pens an Op-Ed for the Seattle Times on what's next for policing in Seattle in 2021.
Feb. 23, 2021 - OIG Tweet: IG Lisa Judge offers preliminary guidance on SPD policy changes for vehicle pursuits after multi-vehicle crash involving police pursuit Feb. 3. (View OIG Memo-Vehicle Pursuits)
Feb. 22, 2021 -- OIG Tweet: IG Lisa Judge discusses collaborating with Chief Diaz and SPD on enhanced training and de-escalation techniques for officers after fatal shooting of person in crisis Feb. 16. (View OIG Memo-Persons in Crisis)
Feb. 18, 2021 -- PubliCola Article: "Investigations into Police Conduct at Protests Provides Window into Office of Police Accountability."
Feb. 5, 2021 -- OIG Tweet: New Court monitor submitted 2021 work plan, acknowledging OIG's ongoing work on reviewing 2020 protest events, and upcoming work on new SPD training & policies, plus SPMA & SPOG contract negotiations.
Jan. 21, 2021 -- Inspector General Lisa Judge talks in depth with Omari Salisbury at Converge Media about the Sentinel Event Review of the 2020 protests.
Jan. 6, 2021 -- The first SER Panel meets Jan. 10, and begins their work with a Peacemaking Circle session.
Dec. 29, 2020 -- Seattle Office of Inspector General Issues OIG's 2021 Work Plan.
Dec. 18, 2020 -- Seattle Office of Inspector General Issues Audit Report on City's DNA Evidence Handling. Audit recommendations include steps to prevent errors in DNA evidence storage and tracking.