(Updated 3:45 p.m.) After all the fuss over its creation, the Alexandria Independent Community Policing Review Board has seemingly had a pretty quiet first full year since its creation.
The Board started meeting in January this year, and the first annual public report said it’s mostly been focusing on prep work.
“The Board began meeting in January 2022, and has been diligently working on readiness requirements in the ordinance such as hiring an Independent Policing Auditor/Investigator, drafting bylaws, and completing training,” the report said.
The seven-person Board was created by City Council last year to independently review allegations of police misconduct.
The top item in the report has been the board’s work in helping to select an independent auditor, who will hire staff, conduct investigations and coordinate the Board’s administrative functions.
So far, the Board has reviewed and discussed resumes of several applicants. In May, the Board met with the City Manager to discuss the hiring process and candidate resumes.
“On May 13, Board Chair Todd Pilot and and Vice Chair Emily Flores met with Kenyatta Uzzell, CEO of Polihire, to better understand the selection process and to provide feedback on the Board’s view of the role of the Auditor and the background and characteristics they saw as important for the position,” the report said. “Polihire identified four candidates. The Board interviewed the four candidates and asked the City Council to interview three of the four candidates.”
According to the report: the pending appointment of an auditor has left the Board in quasi-stasis, unable to implement its bylaws without the assistance and oversight of the as-yet unselected auditor.
The report also said that, despite some scheduling hiccups, all members of the Board will complete their training sessions by the end of this month:
Nevertheless, as of the date of this report, the Board members are expected to have completed their training requirements by the end of September 2022. For each member, this training will include:
- Presentation on the Board’s powers and duties under Title 2, Chapter 4, Article AAA of the City Code (the Independent Community Policing Review Board Article) by Meghan Roberts and Robert Porter of the City Attorney’s Office;
- Presentation on the Board’s obligations under FOIA, conflict of interest and ethics rules,and Roberts Rules of Order by David Lanier of the City Attorney’s Office;
- Presentation on use of force by APD Sgt. Ryan Staab;
- Presentation on the investigative process of the APD Office of External Affairs andProfessional Responsibility by Sgt. Jeff Harrington, with assistance from Sgt. Aloysius Asonglefac;
- Three ride-alongs with the APD; and
- Eight hours of National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement training webinars.
Once an auditor is selected, the report said the Board will able to do more in the upcoming year. The report included a list of goals and benchmarks for the Board to accomplish by this time in 2023:
- Enact bylaws and investigation procedures
- Get Auditor, Board Chair and Board Vice Chair involved in NACOLE (The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement) and registered for NACOLE conferences, encourage other Board members to get involved with NACOLE
- Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the APD
- Create an intake process and tracking system
- Issue the Board Readiness Resolution
- Begin reviewing investigative cases
- Make available videos of meetings on website
- Review of APD policies
- Meet with community groups, the APD, and police union.
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool, a play-based, half-day preschool in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria has limited openings for the ’23-’24 school year.
SPEP offers:
- 18 month old – Kindergarten classes
- Full day Kindergarten option (3 days/week)
- Early Care
- Transportation (ages 3+)
- Weekly Field Trips (ages 3+)
- Financial Aid available
Monarch Montessori School located in the heart of Del Ray is enrolling children 6 weeks to 6 years of age for our half day and full day program.
Our hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday-Friday. Monarch Montessori School is open year round, with intermittent breaks.
Children engage in self-directed, self-initiated activities under the guidance of a trained Montessori teacher. Classroom sizes range from 8-12 students. Our robust curriculum includes botany, sensorial activities, the social graces, culture, math, science, practical life, geography, music appreciation and language arts.
You’ll get half off of the registration fee when you register and begin care with us before April 30, 2023.
2023 Alexandria Scottish Rite Friends & Family Charity Event
On Saturday Evening May 6th, 2023, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, the Valley of Alexandria Scottish Rite will be holding its annual charity fundraiser for kids with speech and language disabilities. This event is open to the public.
Del Ray Dog Fest & Yappy Hour
The 1st Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is a fun outdoor event that will include dog-centered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food on Sunday, April 2 from 11am- 3pm at the George Washington Middle School parking lot.