Berkeley names new interim director of police accountability
Kathy Lee helped get the Police Accountability Board off the ground after overseeing the city's Police Review Commission for years.
The Berkeley mayor's office has just put forward retired city staffer Kathy Lee to run the Police Accountability Board on an interim basis.
Lee used to oversee the city's Police Review Commission and helped get the Police Accountability Board off the ground until she retired in 2022.
The PAB director position became vacant last month when the Berkeley City Council dismissed former director Hansel Aguilar.
Lee's appointment is set to take place at the March 24 City Council meeting.
Mayor Adena Ishii's statement, released by email at 2:10 p.m. Thursday, appears below in full. Stay tuned for additional coverage.
Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii has submitted an item for the March 24 City Council agenda for the appointment of Kathy Lee, former Interim Director of Police Accountability and longtime City of Berkeley employee, to serve as Interim Director of the Office of the Director of Police Accountability (ODPA).
“As the Council moves forward with recruiting a permanent Director of Police Accountability, we want to ensure the important work of ODPA continues seamlessly and without disruption,” said Mayor Ishii. “I am pleased to be putting forward Kathy Lee, whose prior experience brings the expertise, commitment, and leadership needed during this transition. I have great confidence in her ability to keep ODPA and the PAB moving forward, carrying out the work Berkeley residents expect.”
Kathy Lee stated, "I thank the Mayor and members of the City Council for having faith that I can ably serve as interim Director of Police Accountability while a permanent director is sought. It is vital to keep the ODPA and Police Accountability Board, created by a resounding vote of this community in 2020 to strengthen civilian oversight of our Police Department, functioning during this time of transition."
"I am looking forward to working with Interim Director Kathy Lee and continuing to support police accountability and independent civilian oversight in partnership with her and the Office of the Director of Police Accountability. I am grateful for her speedy appointment by the Council," said Joshua Cayetano, Chair of the Police Accountability Board.
In closed session on February 23, City Council designated Mayor Ishii as the lead in negotiating a contract for an interim candidate. Council also selected Mayor Ishii and Councilmembers Lunaparra and Humbert to lead the recruitment process for a permanent director.
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