Help select the next Director of Police Accountability

Come to a public meeting and use an online survey to inform the selection of Berkeley’s next Director of Police Accountability, who works as the operational arm of the Police Accountability Board to oversee civilian oversight of the Berkeley Police Department.

Your feedback will guide the Mayor and Council, who will oversee the hiring and ongoing oversight of this position.

The Mayor and Council are soliciting public feedback on:

• What core attributes and competencies residents are looking for in the new Director of Police Accountability
• What the new director should understand about Berkeley to be successful
• What they should consider when selecting a candidate for the director position

The City of Berkeley will be taking applications for this nationwide search at the end of May. The Mayor and City Council plan to hold interviews in July and select a candidate afterwards.

Share your priorities directly with elected officials.

• RSVP to participate online or in person for a special May 26 meeting hosted by the Mayor.
• Attend the June 9 City Council meeting. Elected officials will discuss the ideal candidate, and the public can offer comments.
• Complete an online anonymous survey by June 10.

Attend a special community meeting on May 26

City of Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii has convened a community meeting to welcome community members to share thoughts on the next Director of Police Accountability.

Attendants may attend in person or virtually via Zoom. Location information or Zoom link will be shared with participants who have completed the RSVP form prior to the meeting upon registration.

Those who cannot make the May 26 meeting can attend the June 9 regular City Council meeting to share their thoughts.

Civilian police oversight in berkeley

The Police Accountability Board was established to promote public trust through independent, objective, civilian oversight of the Berkeley Police Department.

Serving as the operational arm of this board, the Office of the Director of Police Accountability accepts and investigates complaints filed by members of the public alleging misconduct by a Berkeley police officer. The Director of Police Accountability also serves as the Board’s secretary.

The board:

• Advises and makes recommendations to the public, City Council, and City Manager regarding the police policy, procedures, and practices.
• Considers the findings and recommendations of the Director of Police Accountability regarding complaints filed by members of the public against sworn employees of the Police Department.
• For sustained findings of misconduct, recommends whether discipline is warranted and the level of discipline.

The Director of Police Accountability and the Police Accountability Board were created in 2020 by a voter-approved ballot measure. Those positions report to the Mayor and City Council, while the City Manager directly oversees Police Department operations.

Help the Mayor and City Council select the next Director of Police Accountability in any or all of these ways:

• Attending a community feedback meeting on May 26 (RSVP for address or Zoom link)
• Providing comment at the June 9 City Council meeting
• Completing an online survey by June 10. 

links

• RSVP for May 26 Meeting hosted by Mayor
• Anonymous, online survey for Director of Police Accountability recruitment (complete by June 10)
• Police Accountability
• Police Accountability Board 
• Meeting summary of May 26, 2026 DPA community meeting