Police Accountability Director Hiring
At a glance
- What: Filling the City's Director of Police Accountability position. Council went into closed session on a public employee appointment and, in open session, named the Mayor as its labor negotiator for the employment agreement.
- Where it stands: On July 24, 2026 Council voted 7-0 to authorize Mayor Ishii to negotiate employment agreements and amendments, including compensation, with the selected candidate. No reportable action came out of the closed session.
- Next: An employment agreement with the selected candidate; the minutes name no candidate.
- Related: On July 28 Council also adopted Resolution No. 72,401-N.S. appointing a new member to the Police Accountability Board, nominated by Councilmember Taplin; the new member is not named in the minutes.
June 9, 2026 candidate profile discussion
- Action Calendar item 27, by Mayor Ishii: a discussion between the recruiter, WBCP Inc., and the Mayor and Council to set the ideal candidate profile for the next Director of Police Accountability. No financial implications. 0 speakers. The minutes record that Council gave feedback to the recruiter as requested and held a discussion; no motion or vote.
- The same night's written communications included a letter from the Office of the Director of Police Accountability on the Police Accountability Board.
Earlier in July 2026
- July 14, 2026 (special meeting, 4:03 to 5:47 p.m.): Council held a worksession on the 2025 Police Accountability Board and Office of the Director of Police Accountability annual report. 2 speakers; ODPA staff presented, followed by Council questions and discussion. No action. Office contact: Kathy Lee.
- July 14, 2026 (regular meeting), consent items 5 and 6: Resolution No. 72,382-N.S. appointed an Alternate Commissioner to the Police Accountability Board, and Resolution No. 72,383-N.S. appointed a new member nominated by Mayor Ishii. The minutes name neither appointee. Contact: City Clerk Numainville.
- July 7, 2026: the Police Accountability Board submitted supplemental material on the 2025 Annual Police Equipment Report (see Police Mutual Aid MOU Compendium).
Detail (July 24, 2026 special meeting)
- Open session item 1, designating the City's labor negotiator under Government Code Section 54957.6. Motion: Ishii / Taplin.
- Vote: Ayes - Taplin, Tregub, O'Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes none; Abstain none; Absent Kesarwani and Bartlett.
- Closed session item 2, public employee appointment (Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)), position: Director of Police Accountability. No reportable action.
- One speaker in public comment on the agenda.
Sources
- City Council special meeting minutes, July 24, 2026 (Attachment 7 in the minutes-for-approval batch): https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-28%20Item%2002%20Minutes%20for%20Approval.pdf
- City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 (same document).
Log
2026-07-14 - City Council (regular)
Consent items 5 and 6 appointed an alternate commissioner and a new member (nominated by the Mayor) to the Police Accountability Board.
2026-07-14 - City Council (special)
Worksession on the 2025 PAB and ODPA annual report; presentation and discussion, no action.
2026-07-28 - City Council (regular)
Consent item 3: Resolution No. 72,401-N.S. appointed a new Police Accountability Board member nominated by Councilmember Taplin.
2026-07-24 - City Council (special)
Council designated the Mayor as labor negotiator for the Director of Police Accountability employment agreement, 7-0; closed session produced no reportable action.
2026-06-09 - City Council (regular)
Council discussed the desired qualifications for the next Director with the recruiter; feedback given, no action.
2026-05-12 - City Council (regular)
Consent item 4: Resolution 72,255-N.S. appointed a new Police Accountability Board member nominated by Councilmember Tregub; the appointee is not named in the minutes.