About Us

Our Goals

1. Increase public trust and confidence in law enforcement through fair, thorough, and transparent investigations of allegations of misconduct
2. Provide independent investigation of all critical incidents
3. Encourage greater community participation in oversight of law enforcement
4. Improve community relations by acting as a bridge between the community and law enforcement
5. Advance the public’s understanding of law enforcement policies, procedures, and operations
6. Provide a place for citizens to voice concerns outside of the law enforcement agency
7. Ensure that complaints are resolved in a way that maximizes the public interest

Director Responsibilities

The Director of the Office of Police Accountability is responsible for:

• The investigation of all critical incidents
• The auditing of all uses of force, Office of Internal Affairs investigations, and vehicle pursuits
• The investigation of citizen complaints filed with OPA
• The review of citizen complaints filed with BPD
• The independent analysis of police data related to use of force, arrests, and searches

History

The Boise City Council instituted the Office of Ombudsman in 1999 at the urging of the community in the wake of several officer-involved shootings. In 2015, the office was renamed the Office of Police Oversight to clarify the purpose of the office. In 2021, again responding to community needs, the Boise City Council refined the authority, scope, and name, and established the Office of Police Accountability.

You can review historical information about the Office of Police Oversight here.