Independent Policing Auditor Appointed In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — An independent policing auditor who will investigate complaints and recommend policing policies was appointed by Alexandria City Council Tuesday. Kim Neal is the city's first independent policing auditor and will also be the liaison to the Independent Community Policing Review Board. Neal is expected to start the position in early December.

In April 2021, City Council had approved an ordinance to establish the independent policing auditor position, as well as a Community Policing Review Board. The auditor is tasked with conducting independent investigations of complaints and serious incidents involving law enforcement. The position also involves recommending policies and procedures involving law enforcement.

The board's role is to receive concerns from the community about policing in Alexandria, review the Alexandria Police Department's investigations of certain incidents and complaints, conduct its own investigations of certain incidents, and make policy recommendations related to policing.

Neal has experience in independent police monitoring, currently serving as director of the Office of Police Oversight Monitor for the City of Fort Worth, Texas. In that role established in March 2020, Neal has created systems to monitor complaint investigations involving law enforcement, as well as use of force, body-worn camera footage and law enforcement policies and procedures. Neal also created Fort Worth’s first restorative justice mediation program and its first law school externship program with civilian oversight of law enforcement.

Neal previously was executive director of the Citizens Complaint Authority in Cincinnati, Ohio, overseeing complaints about serious misconduct by police officers. She has also held senior positions in cities covering employment, higher education, compliance and ethics as well as private sector positions in utilities, government contracting and legal. Neal is a former professor of legal studies at the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, Maryland.

Neal is a volunteer Court-Appointed Special Advocate in Hamilton County, Ohio as well as a member of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Ethics and Compliance Initiative and Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University, a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law and is certified in compliance and ethics.

"We are excited to have an individual with Ms. Neal's experience to be our first independent policing auditor," said Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "This position will facilitate transparent government oversight and sustain the public trust. Ms. Neal will act on resident concerns and advance policy reforms to serve our community even more effectively."

City government had used recruitment firm Polihire in February for a nationwide search for an auditor. After four candidates were identified, the Independent Police Review Board and a city staff panel did separate interviews over the summer. City Council interviewed the top candidates and selected Neal for the position.