Last year, Mayor Greg Nickels and the City Council agreed to expand the powers of the auditor in order to strengthen the City’s process for investigating police misconduct. Spearman’s powers as auditor include recommending to the OPA director when the director should investigate a complaint further. The auditor may also require additional investigation under certain circumstances. In addition, the OPA auditor examines any and all OPA records to review them for thoroughness, fairness and timeliness.

Spearman was King County Superior Court judge from 1993 to 2007. Currently, he is a mediator and arbitrator at Judicial Dispute Resolution, providing services in all types of civil matters. You can read more about his background in Clerk File 309978. Spearman will serve for a three-year term and can earn up to $143,000 annually at an hourly rate of $160.

“Judge Spearman is an excellent fit for this important position,” said Nickels. “He has the integrity, temperament and reputation to continue making a great department even better.”

“I am honored to be appointed to this position,” said Spearman. “I look forward to working with OPA director Kathryn Olson and the members of the [OPA] Review Board to ensure an open and fair accountability process for Seattle’s police officers and the citizens they serve.”

The three parts of Seattle’s police oversight include: the OPA auditor, the OPA director, and the OPA Review Board (OPARB). The OPA auditor’s position was expanded last year after the mayor’s Police Accountability Review Panel called for 29 changes to Seattle’s police accountability system.

The auditor recommends to the OPA director when the director should investigate a complaint further and may also require additional investigation under certain circumstances. The OPA auditor examines any and all OPA records to review them for thoroughness, fairness and timeliness.

Spearman was King County Superior Court judge from 1993 to 2007. Currently, he is a mediator and arbitrator at Judicial Dispute Resolution, providing services in all types of civil matters.

Spearman’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Seattle City Council.