Community Oversight Board and Independent Policing Auditor

About

On July 21, 2021, the Arlington County Board established the Community Oversight Board (COB) and Independent Policing Auditor position. In an effort to improve transparency, accountability, and community trust in the Arlington County Police Department, the COB will have the ability to independently receive, investigate, and make recommendations in response to complaints from the community. The ordinance also calls for an accompanying Independent Policing Auditor to support the work of the Community Oversight Board.

The Oversight Board consists of seven voting members and two non-voting members with prior experience in law enforcement. All COB members are residents of Arlington, are appointed by the County Board, and reflect the demographic diversity of the County. The COB members were appointed on March 22nd, 2022.

Background Materials:
Police Practices Group 

In 2019, the County Manager launched a 15 member Police Practices Group (PPG) in July 2020. The PPG divided into four subcommittees to address key issues of importance, one of which was a subcommittee charged with evaluating what type of civilian oversight of its police department Arlington County should implement. The Civilian Review Board (CRB) subcommittee focused on reviewing the different models of civilian oversight available as well as what authority and responsibilities the recommended civilian oversight body should possess. 

PPG Products related to Civilian Review Board

COB Members
Commissioners:
  Name   Email     Term Expiration
  Julie Evans, Chair   jevans-cob@arlingtonva.us
  September 30, 2023
  Garry Dean, Vice Chair   gdean-cob@arlingtonva.us   March 31, 2026
  David Smith, Member   dsmith-cob@arlingtonva.us   March 31, 2026
  Martin Ennis-Osorio, Member     mosorio-cob@arlingtonva.us   September 30, 2023     
  Anika Montgomery, Member   amontgomery-cob@arlingtonva.us     September 30, 2023      
  Lisa Ortiz, Member
  lortiz-cob@arlingtonva.us     March 31, 2026
  James Miller, Member   jmiller-cob@arlingtonva.us   March 31, 2026
  Charles McCullough, Member   cmccullough-cob@arlingtonva.us   September 30, 2023

 

Meetings and Materials

The COB normally holds its regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. The COB will also hold additional training/subcommittee meetings that will occur as necessary, usually on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

May 2023 Meeting Dates: May 10, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)

*Hybrid meetings allow attendance in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams 

Submit Public Comments for an Upcoming COB Meeting

May 10, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
April 19, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
March 15, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
February 22, 2023 (Subcommittee Meeting)
February 8, 2023 (Subcommittee Meeting)
January 25, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
January 21, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARD OF ARLINGTON CO., VA, on Saturday 21, 2023, at 8:00 AM, will hold a special meeting to convene in a closed session for the purposes authorized by law. The convocation and certification of the closed session is open to the public. The closed meeting itself is not open to the public.

January 11, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
December 19, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
December 5, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
November 7, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
October 4, 2022 (Virtual Only)
September 20, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
September 6, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
August 16, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
August 2, 2022
July 27th, 2022
July 19th, 2022
July 7th, 2022
July 5th, 2022
June 21st, 2022
June 14th, 2022
May 10th, 2022
April 11th, 2022

 

 

Publications
Publications

COB Publications

IPA Publications    

Administrative Documents

External Resources
Virginia State Legislation
  • SB 5035, 1st Spec. Sess. (Va. 2020).
  • SB 5055, 1st. Spec. Sess. (Va. 2020).
Materials Related to CRB in Other Jurisdictions
Presentation Materials Provided to PPG Subcommittee on CRB