Director of Police Accountability

The City of Berkeley, California is seeking a principled and collaborative leader to serve as its next Director of Police Accountability. Reporting directly to the City Council, the Director leads Berkeleys independent civilian police oversight function and works closely with the Police Accountability Board (PAB) to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing. This highly visible role oversees complex misconduct investigations, evaluates police policies and procedures, and helps strengthen systems of civilian oversight and constitutional policing.

The Director oversees a team of three and an approximate $1.7 million budget while serving as a trusted advisor and community-facing leader. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience in police oversight, investigations, and policy evaluation, along with exceptional communication, political acumen, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills. This is an outstanding opportunity for a respected oversight professional to help shape the future of police accountability in one of the nations most civically engaged communities. Advance transparency, accountability, and community trust apply today !

THE COMMUNITY
Located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay and covering just over 10 square miles, the iconic City of Berkeley, California is home to approximately 120,000 people who create an ethnically diverse community and an ever-evolving, culturally rich atmosphere. Known as a hub for academic excellence, scientific progress, and free speech, the City is home to the world-renowned University of California, Berkeley and Berkeley City College. Berkeleys eclectic neighborhoods, thriving arts scene, renowned culinary culture, and historic role in social justice movements make it one of the Bay Areas most distinctive communities. Residents and visitors alike enjoy attractions such as the Downtown Arts District, Telegraph Avenue, Fourth Street, Tilden Regional Park, and the Berkeley Marina. The City also hosts beloved community events including the Bay Area Book Festival, Berkeley Restaurant Week, and numerous arts and music festivals throughout the year. Berkeleys combination of intellectual vitality, cultural richness, natural beauty, and strong civic values attracts individuals passionate about community service, innovation, and social impact.

THE CITY GOVERNMENT
Berkeley is a charter city governed by a Mayor elected at-large and eight Councilmembers elected by district, with a City Manager appointed by the Council. The City Attorney is also appointed by the Council and is independent from the City Manager. The City provides a variety of services across 12 departments and operates on a FY 2026 budget of $728 million with 1,749 full-time employees. The City also has eight bargaining units representing various employee groups. In addition to an engaged constituency base, the City has many commissions that discuss and advise on issues ranging from Civic Arts to Disaster and Fire Safety.

THE ODPA AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
The City of Berkeley has a longstanding commitment to transparent and accountable policing, with its first independent oversight mechanism, the Police Review Commission, created by ballot measure in 1973. The Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA) and the Police Accountability Board (PAB) were established following the passage of Measure II in November 2020, when Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a new independent civilian oversight system to replace the Police Review Commission, designed to expand civilian oversight and further strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing. The PAB, a nine-member commission appointed by City Council, is the independent civilian oversight body charged with reviewing police practices, policies, and investigations involving sworn members of the Berkeley Police Department, and the ODPA provides operational support to the PAB, including the investigation of civilian complaints, review of police policies and procedure. Operating independently from the City Manager except for administrative purposes, the ODPA reports directly to the City Council and operates with approximately $1.7 million in annual funding and a total staff of four.

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  Reporting to the Berkeley City Council, the Director of Police Accountability leads the operational arm of the Citys independent civilian oversight function and oversees the daily operations of the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA). The Director manages three dedicated staff members in their work, which includes both investigatory and policy components: the Director and ODPA staff conduct complex and sensitive investigations involving allegations of police misconduct and bring their findings to the Police Accountability Board (PAB) for review; they also conduct policy and trend analysis and develop findings and recommendations for the PAB and City Council. The Director also oversees complaint intake processes, departmental operations, and budget administration for the ODPA and the PAB.

  This role requires close collaboration with community members, City leadership, the Berkeley Police Department, labor representatives, and advocacy organizations to ensure oversight processes are fair, transparent, and responsive. The Director represents the City externally and regularly presents before the City Council, Police Accountability Board, and community stakeholders, playing a central role in advancing best practices in civilian oversight and constitutional policing.
  
  THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
  The ideal candidate is an experienced and collaborative police oversight professional with strong expertise conducting complex misconduct investigations, evaluating police policy and procedure, and navigating highly sensitive public issues with integrity and professionalism. They are a skilled communicator and bridge-builder who can establish credibility and trust with community members, elected officials, law enforcement representatives, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders with highly diverse perspectives on policing. The successful Director is a strong yet collaborative leader who can project confidence, remain flexible and solutions-focused, and balance tenacity with compromise.

  A deep understanding of the historical impacts of over policing in marginalized communities, and a demonstrated ability to apply that understanding in community engagement, oversight, and policy work, is essential in this role. Prior experience strengthening community outreach and increasing public awareness of civilian oversight resources is highly desirable. Overall, the ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated commitment to transparency, fairness, and accountability, along with a genuine commitment to meaningful engagement with diverse communities and stakeholders.

  The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following core competencies:

  • Integrity: Demonstrates fairness, transparency, accountability, and strong ethical standards in all oversight activities.
  • Relationship Building: Builds trust and productive partnerships with community members, City officials, City Council, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations.
  • Political Acumen: Navigates complex and politically sensitive environments with diplomacy and professionalism.
  • Communication: Clearly conveys complex investigative findings, policy recommendations, and public safety issues to diverse audiences.
  • Conflict Management: Facilitates constructive dialogue and manages difficult conversations with professionalism and respect.
  • Technical Expertise: Possesses advanced knowledge of police oversight practices, investigations, law enforcement procedures, and constitutional policing.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates empathy, cultural competence, and respect for diverse lived experiences.
  • Team Management/Delegation: Effectively manages the departments resources, ensures efficiency in operations, and delegates work strategically while remaining hands-on.
  Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in law enforcement, police science, public or business administration, or a related field. An appropriate advanced degree is desirable.
  
  Experience: Five years of experience performing professional administrative/investigative or legal/investigative work including substantial involvement with law enforcement issues.

  For first consideration, apply by June 24 at www.wbcpinc.com/job-board . Submission of a resume is required for consideration; a cover letter is optional but encouraged.
  
  THE INTERVIEW PROCESS
  A Council Subcommittee will select candidates to participate in a first-round virtual interview scheduled for July 17 . Finalists will advance to an in-person interview with the City Council in late July.
  
  QUESTIONS?
  Please contact your recruiter, Lauren Gerson-Greene, with any inquiries:

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  • 866-929-WBCP (9227) toll free
  • ... (direct)