Alexandria council to consider interim policing auditor after Kamara’s departure

By Hannah Prewitt

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Alexandria City Council is scheduled to consider appointing an interim independent policing auditor at its Tuesday meeting, filling a civilian oversight post that has been vacant since Ameratu Kamara’s resignation took effect Oct. 3, The Alexandria Brief reported.

The docket does not name a candidate. As of Friday, the city’s legislative record for the item listed only its title, according to the Brief.

Until someone is appointed, the work of the city’s civilian review board is on hold. “The Independent Community Policing Review Board (ICPRB) will resume its meetings when appropriate City staff is appointed to facilitate its work,” the city says on the auditor’s office page, updated Oct. 2. In the meantime, residents can still submit information to the board, which will take it up when it resumes.

The auditor’s office was established in April 2021 under the city code to receive and investigate complaints of misconduct involving Alexandria Police Department members or policies. Its investigations are reviewed by the review board, and findings go to the police chief and the City Council. The city’s first auditor started in December 2022.

The office’s most prominent recent work was its final investigative report on the in-custody death of Allan F. Tucker, which the city released ahead of a public hearing on June 29.

Tuesday’s agenda also includes staff updates on automated license plate readers, the draft Duke Street Land Use Plan and a detention center study, the Brief reported. Council will also hear an update on Community Lodgings’ Elbert Avenue redevelopment, whose developer is seeking a 30-year property tax abatement worth about $4 million on 91 affordable apartments.

The auditor’s office can be reached at policeoversight@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3993.

The Inquisitor is seeking comment from the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Police Department, the independent policing auditor’s office, the City Council and the ACLU of Virginia.