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 Berkeley's 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 nation's 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.

Berkeley's eclectic neighborhoods, thriving arts scene, renowned culinary culture, and historic role in social justice movements make it one of the Bay Area's 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.

Berkeley's 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 Council members 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.

* Learn more about ODPA: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-accountability

* Learn more about the PAB: -board

* Read the PAB and ODPA's Governing Charter:/125

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Berkeley City Council, the Director of Police Accountability leads the operational arm of the City's 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…