FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reminder - OII expands use of force investigations into Pierce County
Tumwater, Wash. – The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) will respond to use of deadly force incidents in Pierce County beginning Friday, May 01, 2026.
OII has six regions statewide. Investigating incidents in Region 2 - Pierce County is an expansion for OII, which has been investigating use of deadly force incidents in Region 1 – West since December 01, 2024.
OII first announced the expansion into Region 2 in December 2025 and has been meeting with local law enforcement, community members, and government leaders to share information about its operations. OII’s Tribal Relations Program has also met with Tribal government representatives from both the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
OII is expanding in phases to best manage its resources, including staffing. Currently, the agency has 32 investigators statewide. To date, OII has responded to nine incidents, with four investigations completed and submitted to the local prosecuting attorneys.
In addition to investigators, OII has the:
- Family Liaison Program for ongoing communication with the family of the deceased.
- Tribal Relations Program to maintain government to government relations with sovereign Tribes in Washington State.
- Community Liaison Program to engage with local community groups.
***
OII was created to conduct criminal investigations of use of deadly force by law enforcement. For media inquiries, contact Communications Director Hector Castro at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.