WHAT WE DO
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO), established by amendment of City Charter Article XIA in 2022, is managed by a Police Oversight Director working with the Police Oversight Commission (POC), to provide oversight of the LBPD based on community feedback and engagement. Stood up by the City Manager’s Office in FY 23, this Department will be established as a standalone department, under the Long Beach Mayor and City Council, beginning in FY 24. The two key functions of the Office will be conducted by managers in the Investigations/Review Section, and the Audit Section. Staff in the administration will be responsible for public information, community engagement, and report writing.
To achieve its mission, the Director has the authority to audit all investigations completed by the Long Beach Police Department’s (LBPD) Internal Affairs Division for timeliness, thoroughness, and quality; review IA’s intake of complaints to ensure appropriate allegations are included in IA’s investigation; prepare annual reports with a focus on statistical trends and special reports and provide such reports to the POC and City Council. The OPO also has the authority to review Police Department operations, policy, procedures and training and make recommendations on such review to the POC and City Council. The Director has the authority to be on the scene of critical incidents to observe the Police Department’s handling of an investigation. The Director is authorized, upon request of the City Manager, to independently investigate complaints against the Chief of Police and command staff, as well as any major uses of force involving death or great bodily injury, officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and critical incidents. The OPO has access to all relevant Police Department records, and the authority to question any witnesses, including Police Department personnel.
Core Services of the Police Oversight Director
- Conduct systemic reviews of LBPD operations, policy, procedures and training, working with the Commission in response to community concerns or other indicators that a matter should be systematically reviewed
- Audit Police Department investigations for timeliness, thoroughness, and quality
- Prepare annual reports and special reports to the Commission and City Council
- Independently investigate complaints against the Chief of Police and command staff upon request of the City Manager;
- Independently investigate major uses of force or critical incidents, upon request of the City Manager
- Review Police Department operations, policy, procedures, and training and make recommendations on such review
