The Washington Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is preparing for a leadership change following the resignation of its first and only director, Roger Rogoff. His resignation, announced this week, will take effect May 3, according to a statement released by the agency and confirmed by the Washington governor’s office.

Created by the Legislature in 2021, OII is tasked with investigating incidents of police use of deadly force across Washington State, aiming to ensure investigations are independent, transparent, and free from conflicts of interest. The agency’s work has statewide implications, including in smaller communities such as those in Cowlitz County, where police use-of-force cases have drawn public scrutiny and where independent oversight is increasingly sought.

Rogoff, a former King County judge, prosecutor, and federal attorney, was appointed in 2022 by then-Governor Jay Inslee to establish and lead the fledgling agency. During his tenure, Rogoff oversaw the office’s initial staffing, policy development, and operational rollout. He leaves the post to join a Seattle-based law firm.

Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Jane Nesbitt as interim director, effective February 1. Nesbitt previously served as OII’s chief of staff starting in August 2022 and is credited with guiding organizational development, hiring, and training processes during the agency’s expansion phase. Ferguson described her as a steady hand to guide the OII through its leadership transition, expressing confidence in her ability to maintain continuity during the search for a permanent director.

In a written statement, Nesbitt said she intends to “continue advancing the agency’s mission, vision, and values,” and emphasized support for the agency’s staff during the leadership change. Her interim tenure will cover the period until the governor selects a new permanent director.

The leadership transition represents a pivotal moment for OII as it expands its statewide capacity to independently investigate serious use-of-force cases. For communities like Longview and Kelso, which rely on outside investigative assistance in officer-involved incidents, the OII’s stability and independence have direct consequences for public confidence in accountability systems.

More information about the transition and the search for OII’s next director is available through the Washington governor’s official announcements and the OII’s public communications channels.

Sources: MyNorthwest: WA office that investigates police use of force seeks new director; Office of the Governor of Washington.