Alexandria names Florence Finkle, OIR Group interim policing auditor

By Hannah Prewitt

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria City Council on Tuesday appointed attorney Florence Finkle and the police oversight firm OIR Group to run the city’s Office of the Independent Policing Auditor while the city conducts a national search for a permanent auditor.

The council voted 7-0, according to The Alexandria Brief. Finkle and OIR Group start Thursday, Oct. 29, and report directly to the council, the city said.

The post has been vacant since the resignation of auditor Ameratu Kamara took effect Oct. 3. The Inquisitor reported Sunday that the council would consider an interim appointment.

Who is taking over

The city said Finkle has worked for 30 years to hold law enforcement officers accountable for crimes and policy violations and to improve accountability systems. She is president of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, known as NACOLE, and has served on its board.

OIR Group serves as the oversight entity for several jurisdictions in California and elsewhere in the country, the city said.

“The selection of OIR Group reflects the City Council’s commitment to ensuring transparency and building trust in our law enforcement,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a statement. She said the firm’s “track record in independent policing oversight makes them an excellent partner to lead the Office of the Independent Policing Auditor and work with the Independent Community Policing Review Board during this time.”

Councilman Abdel Elnoubi made the motion and Councilman John Chapman seconded it, with Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley presiding and Gaskins participating virtually, The Alexandria Brief reported.

A busy night for police oversight

The office was created in April 2021 to provide oversight of the Alexandria Police Department. The appointment came the same night Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told the council the city had canceled its Flock license plate reader contract.

The Inquisitor has asked the city how long the interim arrangement is expected to last, what it will cost and when the search for a permanent auditor will conclude.