Director of Police Accountability

The City of Berkeley is recruiting a new Director of Police Accountability who will oversee the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) and act as Secretary to the Police Accountability Board (PAB). Learn more about the ODPA and PAB.

Public feedback is essential to this process and will help shape the future of police accountability in Berkeley.

WAYS TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK:

• Online anonymous survey, open through Wednesday, June 10.

• Make public comment at the June 9 regular City Council meeting.

• Send a direct email to the recruiter, Lauren Gerson-Greene: lauren@wbcpinc.com.

MAKING PROGRESS: When the City Council dismissed the Director of Police Accountability earlier this year, we made a promise to the community that we would ensure continuity of operations for the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) and would put in place measures to make sure its important work goes on seamlessly.  

Since that time, we:

• Formed a subcommittee to oversee the hiring process (Mayor Ishii sits on the subcommittee, along with Councilmembers Lunaparra and Humbert).

• Hired an Interim Director of Police Accountability, Kathy Lee, whose prior experience working for the City of Berkeley brings the expertise, commitment, and leadership needed during this transition.

• Appointed 3 new members to the Police Accountability Board, with a few more in the pipeline.

• Have had regular meetings with Interim Director Kathy Lee and PAB Chair Joshua Cayetano to ensure they are supported and have what they need to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

We have been able to make great progress in a relatively short time and know that we still have more work ahead of us.  

WHAT’S NEXT: The City of Berkeley will be posting the Director of Police Accountability position at the end of May/beginning of June and plans to hold interviews towards the end of July.