Gino Betts

Gino Betts
NationalityAmerican
Alma materNorthern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University School of Law, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Occupation(s)Attorney and Organizational Oversight Leader

Gino Betts is an American attorney and public servant known for his work in government oversight, policy reforms, and workplace investigations.[1] He has held leadership roles in government agencies, including director of the Seattle Office of Police Accountability, where he specialized in misconduct investigations, policy reform, and employee relations.[2] Throughout his career, Betts has held various legal, civic and academic positions focused on legal accountability, compliance and community engagement.[2]

Education

Betts earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in English from Northern Illinois University in 2006.[3] He received his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2009. During law school, he studied Comparative Constitutional Law in Cape Town, South Africa, through Howard University School of Law.[3]

Career

Betts began his legal career in 2009 as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, Illinois, where he prosecuted felony cases and led the Southside Community Justice Center, working with community leaders and law enforcement to address local concerns.[4] From 2017 to 2019, he served as an attorney at the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, focusing on high-profile and complex misconduct cases.[4][5]

In 2022, Betts was appointed Director of the Seattle Office of Police Accountability (OPA) by Mayor Bruce Harrell and unanimously confirmed by City Council.[1][6] During his tenure, the OPA received Seattle's first Achievement in Oversight award from the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) for advancing police accountability standards.[7][8] His tenure drew both praise for advancing the agency and disagreement with law enforcement leadership over operational decision-making.[9] He concluded his service in 2025.[10][11]

Betts has also served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University School of Law and the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law, teaching legal research, writing, and trial advocacy.[3]

Betts has several professional affiliations, including serving on the boards of the Black Male Lawyers Association, Bobby E. Wright Behavioral Health Center, Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, and as Associate Board President of the Just the Beginning Foundation.[12][13]

Awards and honors

  • Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Recognition (2013)[1]
  • Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Recognition (2014)[1]
  • Earned Seattle’s first Achievement in Oversight Award, National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (2024)[1]


References

  1. ^ a b c d e Aaron Allen,"Harrell Selects Gino Betts To Lead Office Of Police Accountability". seattlemedium.com. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Jamie Housen,"Mayor Bruce Harrell to Appoint Accountability Leader Gino Betts as Next Office of Police Accountability Director". harrell.seattle.gov. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Gino Betts, Jr. Education & Credentials". martindale.com. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  4. ^ a b Cathy Milne-Ware,"Gino Betts Is a Passionate Litigator and Law Professor". chicagoleader.com. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  5. ^ Erica C. Barnett,"New Police Accountability Director Gino Betts Has His Work Cut Out for Him". publicola.com. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  6. ^ "OPA Director Pick Gino Betts' Answers to Public Questions". southseattleemerald.org. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  7. ^ "CPU #55: Meet the New OPA Director". content.govdelivery.com. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  8. ^ Catharine Smith & David Hyde,"Gino Betts named new civilian head of police accountability office". kuow.org. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  9. ^ Mike Carter,"Seattle police accountability director resigns amid criticism". seattletimes.com. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  10. ^ Amy Sundberg,"Seattle's Embattled Police Accountability Director Resigns, Raising Reform Questions". theurbanist.org. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  11. ^ Vee Hua,"NEWS GLEAMS - Office of Police Accountability Director Resigns; New Police Chief to Be Announced by End of 2024". southseattleemerald.org. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  12. ^ Nick Moroni,"Betts' legal career wager pays off". austinweeklynews.com. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Black Men Lawyers' Association". blackmenlawyersassociation.org. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
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