Mayor Lauren McLean, Council President Jimmy Hallyburton and Council President Pro Tem Patrick Bageant have selected Nicole McKay to lead the Office of Police Accountability, pending confirmation from city council at their noon meeting on Tuesday, August 22. McKay, who brings over 25 years of experience in public and private sector law and a passion for community service. She emerged as the top candidate after a process that included interviews with the mayor, city council leadership, Boise Police Department command staff and community leaders.
“I’m thrilled that someone of Nicole’s caliber will be leading OPA. We took the time to recruit the strongest possible candidate we could, and I am confident we found that in Nicole,” said Mayor Lauren McLean. “We sought out Nicole based on her 25 years providing legal, strategic and policy advice to elected officials and her commitment to transparency and accountability. After 17 years in the Attorney General’s office, Nicole had her pick of plum positions. I’m thrilled she is choosing to bring her time and talent to our Office of Police Accountability.”
McKay most recently served as Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy for former Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, managing 220 attorneys and staff, overseeing high-profile litigation and press and conducting executive leadership trainings for the National Association of Attorneys General. Prior to that, McKay was the chief legal counsel to the Director and Board of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, leading Medicaid, Behavior Health, Family and Community Services, Welfare, licensing and Certification and Management Services.
“We found an exceptional candidate who understands and will uphold the vision set by the mayor and council for civilian oversight. I look forward to working with Nicole as she develops predictable and appropriate oversight processes and procedures and, most importantly, reports back with tangible policy recommendations on ways we can improve. I am confident Nicole will do this – her 25 years of public service have proven that. I’m also confident that Nicole will ensure Boiseans have a place to voice concerns related to law enforcement,” said Council President Jimmy Hallyburton.
McKay earned her Juris Doctor at Gonzaga University School of Law and serves on a variety of community boards and positions committed to advancing justice and promoting the health and safety of women and children, including the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora, the University of Idaho College of Law Professionalism program and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate Guardian Ad Litem.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Boise as Director of the Office of Police Accountability,” said Mckay. “The OPA plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability and community trust within our law enforcement agency and I am committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness in fulfilling that role. I am dedicated to collaborating with our police department and community to implement effective strategies that address concerns, enhance communication, and establish a transparent framework of accountability that benefits everyone.”
Pending city council confirmation, Nicole will take over for Interim Director, Nicole Schaefer, in early September.
You can watch the confirmation process at Tuesday’s city council meeting in-person or online.
