Office of the Alexandria Independent Policing Auditor
Contact Information
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Office Address: | 123 N Pitt Street, Suite 225, Alexandria, VA 22314 |
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Email: | policeoversight@alexandriava.gov |
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Help Line: | 703.746.3993 |
Director, Office of Independent Policing Auditor
Kim Neal became Alexandria, Virginia’s Inaugural Independent Policing Auditor/Director in December 2022. Overall, her key responsibility is to enhance positive police accountability to the community through investigations as well as monitoring and/or mediating administrative investigations, operational reviews and all other law enforcement functions in which policing impacts the community.
Prior to coming to Alexandria, Kim was the Inaugural Independent Police Oversight Monitor/Director for Fort Worth, Texas where she developed a restorative justice mediation program to address community concerns about policing to repair and transform community-police encounters. Preceding Fort Worth, she also served in a similar capacity in Cincinnati, Ohio as the Executive Director of the Citizen Complaint Authority, where Kim oversaw the independent investigations of misconduct allegations against Cincinnati law enforcement. There, she created an interactive program called “Real Talk with CCA” to enhance positive encounters between the youth and law enforcement. Kim is a Washington, DC native who has held senior level positions in law, ethics, policy, investigations, higher education, and privacy and disclosure in the private and public sectors at the federal, state and local levels of government. Kim earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University; her Juris Doctorate from University of Baltimore School of Law; and she holds certifications in compliance and ethics as well as civilian oversight of law enforcement. She sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and has been a lifelong volunteer and donor of community and social awareness causes.
Key components of Alexandria Community Oversight of Law Enforcement
- Complaint, Commendation and Feedback Intake and Review
- APD Policy/Practices Review, Analysis and Recommendations
- Relationship Building
- Community Engagement
- Board Guidance
- Periodic Reporting
- Professional Development & Coverage
- Other Key Initiatives
Overview
The City of Alexandria's Office of the Independent Policing Auditor was first established in April 2021 pursuant to Alexandria City Code Art. 4, § 4-1-5 thru 4-1-6 as a mechanism with which to provide oversight and accountability of the Alexandria Police Department (APD). The City of Alexandria’s first Independent Policing Auditor commenced in December 2022. This office serves a proactive leader in law enforcement accountability of APD to the population it serves and is independent of APD. The City Council also voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance establishing the structure of a new Independent Community Policing Review Board, to be effective as of July 1, 2021 along with its authorizing state law.
Vision
To promote fair and equitable policing in the City of Alexandria through the promotion of law enforcement accountability, law enforcement transparency and enhancement of public safety, and ultimately, strengthen trust in the community.
Independent Community Policing Review of Alexandria Law Enforcement
- is fair and impartial
- is independent of the Alexandria Police Department.
- conducts reviews and investigations with diligence, integrity, objectively, fairness, and in a timely manner.
- educates and learns from communities it serves.
- consists of a professional, knowledgeable, and trained staff.
- committed to independent and thorough oversight while building bridges with the Alexandria community.
Speaker's Bureau
If you or your community or business group would like to learn more about civilian oversight of law enforcement in the City of Alexandria, we invite you to contact our organization. We are available to speak on a variety of topics at your next meeting, including, but not limited to: Overview of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement; History: Life Before and Life Since Creation of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement in Alexandria; Complaint and Investigations Process; and Other Related Topics. We welcome the opportunity to share more information about our office or the board as well as collaborate with the community more regarding positive enhancement of policing in Alexandria. To schedule a speaker, contact us.
Community Engagement
January 25, 2024 Community Engagement Webinar on the State of Civilian Oversight in Virginia