Olympia Police Department Embracing Change

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) is embracing transformative changes to enhance accountability and transparency following national outrage after George Floyd's murder. In November 2020, the city contracted a civilian auditor for independent reviews of police activities, ensuring adherence to best practices. The department is implementing body-worn cameras to increase public trust and clarify police interactions. In response to criticisms regarding crowd management during protests, OPD has established new guidelines to balance public safety with free speech rights. The department is focusing on diversity and inclusion by integrating anti-bias training into its curriculum, striving to reflect the community it serves.

OPD is actively engaging with community members to reimagine public safety, emphasizing collaboration and responsiveness to concerns. Recent state-level police reforms have prompted OPD to refine its policies to meet evolving legal standards. Collectively, these initiatives aim to reinforce OPD's commitment to serving the Olympia community with integrity and respect.