The Office of Accountability and Transparency has officially appointed a new director: Roger Smith.
The Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) was approved by the Phoenix City Council last year. The purpose of OAT is to track down any feasible wrongdoing within the Phoenix Police Department, as it was a public demand within the community of Phoenix.
“Our goal is to use data, mediation, and transparency to rebuild trust between the police department and the community,” said Mayor Kate Gallego, reported by PHXNewsroom. “We are very fortunate to have found a person who has deep experience in this work.” Gallego went on to say that she is looking forward to working with Smith in order to form a transparent and inclusive path forward in the Phoenix community.
OAT would specifically monitor the police department, and place investigations on any suspicious actions executed by police officers. Some additional duties as OAT director also include being responsible for the development of the new office, and hiring a team within the office.
Roger Smith has a lot of experience under his belt when it comes to involvement with police misconduct. Some positions Smith has held include administering the Office of Professional Standards for the City of Cleveland, being a prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and a trial attorney. In all of these positions, Smith has been able to see and work with police misconduct from different perspectives.
Smith, being a person of color, has also been vocal about his personal experience with police and discrimination.
“I was introduced to this issue of civilian oversight as a teenager,” Smith said, reported by AZCentral, “when I began to get stopped multiple times in Northern New Jersey.” Smith went on to say that frequent encounters with the police in his community can help him to relate to members of the Phoenix community that feel they are being targeted because of their skin color.
“I am confident as we lay the foundation for this new office with feedback from all stakeholders throughout the community, we can create a stronger city for everyone.”
Smith officially begins his role as Director as soon as December 6., and will be the first appointed Director for this newly approved office that will hopefully serve a constructive purpose for the Phoenix community as promised.
Contact the reporter at jmmclai1@asu.edu.
