Mayor Kate Gallego is now accepting applications for individuals to serve on the City of Phoenix Civilian Review Board, an oversight body established to help improve transparency and accountability within the Phoenix Police Department.
The Phoenix City Council voted on May 15 to create the Board, which will review, discuss, and approve monitoring reports issued by the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT). The Board will also review OAT’s policy recommendations to the Phoenix Police Department.
“Transparency is essential to fostering public trust between law enforcement and our community,” Gallego said. “I’m excited to take the next step in providing additional oversight by seating our Civilian Review Board. This diverse group will cultivate productive discussions on ways we can improve our police department to better serve all of Phoenix.”
During her tenure on the City Council, Gallego supported hiring more police officers to restore staffing to pre-recession levels and advocated for the purchase and deployment of 2,000 body-worn cameras. As mayor, she accelerated and achieved full implementation of this program for every frontline police officer.
In 2020, Gallego led a historic vote to fully fund the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT), a City agency that oversees administrative investigations of misconduct allegations against the police department and receives community feedback regarding complaints, commendations, or concerns about policing. OAT’s monitoring reports and subsequent recommendations are available here.
The Civilian Review Board will consist of nine voting members nominated by the Mayor and approved by a two-thirds vote of the City Council for three-year staggered terms. Initially, three members will serve for two years, three for three years, and three for four years. All members are eligible to serve a three-year term thereafter. For more eligibility requirements, visit the Boards and Commissions Webpage.
The application is now open and accepting candidates through August 16.
