San Diego’s City Council on Tuesday appointed a new executive director for the Commission on Police Practices. KPBS reporter Scott Rodd said this was a significant step for the police oversight body that had struggled to gain its footing in recent years.
San Diego’s City Council on Tuesday named Paul Parker as the new executive director for the Commission on Police Practices. The appointment is a big step for a commission that struggled to find its footing in recent years.In 2020, San Diego voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure creating the Commission on Police Practices.
The commission was tasked with reviewing complaints against police officers and launching independent investigations. But it took years for the City Council toCouncilmembers praised Parker’s qualifications ahead of the appointment vote. “He is uniquely qualified for this critical role,” said District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo. “He’s demonstrated steadfast commitment to accountability and transparency, and of course building community trust.”He later added, “You have very important work to do, and we have improvements that we need to make when it comes to transparency and trust.”As a member of the KPBS I-Team, I hold San Diego's powerful accountable and examine the intersection of state and local government.