Police Accountability

The Police Accountability Board and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability provide civilian oversight of the Berkeley Police Department.

Berkeley voters created the Police Accountability Board to provide independent civilian oversight of the Berkeley Police Department. The Board advises the public, City Council, and City Manager on policies, practices, and procedures of the Department.

Voters also established the Office of the Director of Police Accountability, whose duties include accepting and investigating complaints filed by members of the public alleging misconduct by a Berkeley police officer. The Director also serves as the Secretary to the Police Accountability Board and assists the Board in carrying out its duties.

The Police Accountability Board and Director of Police Accountability report to the Mayor and City Council, and are independent of the City Manager. The Board and the Director were created with the passage of Measure II, amending the City Charter, in November 2020. We became operational in July 2021.

The Police Accountability Board and Director of Police Accountability replace the former Police Review Commission, established in 1973. The new structure is a modernization and an expansion of tools for meaningful civilian oversight of the police in the 21st century.