Pullman WA police chief on leave after domestic violence, sexual assault allegations
Pullman, Washington, Police Chief Jake Opgenorth is accused of domestic violence and sexual assault by a woman who claimed in a protective order petition filed this month that she had been involved in a relationship with him.
The protective order petition, filed in Whitman County court, was brought against Opgenorth on Dec. 20 by the woman who had worked with Opgenorth on the Pullman Police Advisory Committee. The Spokesman-Review does not name potential victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Multiple messages seeking comment that were received Monday by a law firm designated to answer questions relating to Opgenorth’s status have not been returned.
The woman requested a domestic violence protection order and wrote “sexual assault” as an additional protection order, court records show. She indicated that the two had been in a relationship or are currently in a relationship, but never lived together.
Social media indicates that Opgenorth was married around 2015.
Court records also show Opgenorth was ordered to surrender his personal and department-issued firearms. He is on administrative leave from the police department.
The rest of the record is sealed.
The Washington State Patrol is conducting an investigation, but has not disclosed details.
Chris Loftus, communications director for the WSP, said last week that the agency is asked to investigate either at the request of the governor’s office or local law enforcement to quell concerns regarding possible interagency bias.
Opgenorth has been placed on administrative leave by the Pullman Police Department , KREM2 reported.
Pullman Police Commander Aaron Breshears has directed all questions to the law firm.
Opgenorth began his law enforcement career in Pullman in 1992, according to his biography on the police department’s website. He became police chief in 2022.
Pullman Mayor Francis Benjamin declined to comment Monday.
Pullman is home to Washington State University, located about 15 miles west of the University of Idaho in Moscow.
This story was originally published December 30, 2024 at 4:19 PM.