Independent Community Policing Review Board Meeting – January 7, 2026

The Independent Community Policing Review Board (ICPRB) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 7:08 PM to 7:58 PM at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (Senior Room) in Alexandria, Virginia. The board elected new officers for 2026, received a detailed update on the in-custody death investigation of Alan Tucker, discussed community engagement with Alexandria City High School’s PTSA, and prepared for the first public hearing on a police-related case. Public comment was received from a family member of Alan Tucker urging transparency and accountability.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The meeting agenda was approved by voice vote (all in favor, none opposed).
• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the December 3, 2025 meeting were approved with four corrections: adding the deputy city attorney’s title, clarifying an excused board member in a footnote, moving a comma after “Secretary” in item four, and removing a remark in item eight. Additional correction to rearrange Deborah Porter’s name in paragraph three. Approved by voice vote (all in favor, none opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bettina Alexander, family member of Alan Tugard (in-custody death), asked why the hearing date had not been announced and expressed prolonged uncertainty. She stated that Alan “was a person with worth and dignity regardless of circumstances” and urged the board to treat the case with transparency, accountability, and humanity. She noted that the family feels Alan’s death is being viewed as a possible drug overdose and that “his humanity and basic rights are being written off.” The board chair responded that the board is waiting for investigations from the police department and the auditor’s office. The auditor later confirmed that a report is expected by the end of January. Ms. Alexander was also offered the option to submit a written statement to the board’s email (policeoversight@alexandriava.gov).

Discussion Items

• Board Elections (Officers for 2026): Chair Christopher Lewis (non‑candidate) presided over elections. Nominations were made for three officer positions:

  • Chair: Deborah Porter (nominated, unopposed) – elected by acclamation.
  • Vice Chair: Alexis Stackhouse (nominated, unopposed) – elected by acclamation.
  • Secretary: Suzanne Berkey (nominated, unopposed) – elected by acclamation. All officers were approved by voice vote (all in favor, none opposed). The new chair, Deborah Porter, then presided over the remainder of the meeting.

• Engagement with ACHS PTSA (Suzanne Berkey): Board member Suzanne Berkey reported meeting with the president of the Alexandria City High School Parent‑Teacher‑Student Association (PTSA). Proposed activities included:

  • Attending the PTSA board meeting on February 23, 2026 (time to be confirmed) with two board representatives.
  • Placing board information cards at a career fair on January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
  • Linking the ICPRB website to the ACHS PTSA website.
  • Reaching out to the school newspaper (Theogony) for student outreach. The board expressed agreement and trust in Ms. Berkey’s judgment as the liaison.

• Auditor Update (Amarachi, Independent Policing Auditor):

  • Alan Tucker Investigation: The Critical Incident Response Team (CERT) completed its criminal investigation on December 27, 2025, providing a 20‑slide PowerPoint with recommendations to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney may produce the final report. The auditor expects to finalize her own report by the end of January 2026, after which she will release it to the board, APD, city council, city attorney, and city manager, and make it public on the city website.
  • Public Hearing Scheduling: The auditor recommended scheduling the public hearing either in late February or at the March 4, 2026 board meeting. The board agreed to hold the public hearing on March 4, 2026, moving the previously planned NACOLE training to a later date.
  • Public Comment Rules: The auditor is working with the vice mayor and city attorney’s office to establish standard rules for public hearings (registration, time limits, handling of confidential information). She will share guidelines from NACOLE with the board.
  • Outside Counsel: Due to anticipated litigation, the city attorney’s office recommended three attorneys: Cynthia Hudson, Martin Krim, and David Jamowitz. The auditor will reach out to gauge interest and provide resumes to the board for a vote at the February 2026 meeting. The board may suggest additional names, but the city attorney has final say per city code § 2‑4‑225A2. Discussion ensued about ensuring independence from the city attorney’s office.
  • Transparency on Timelines: In response to public comment concerns, the auditor noted that delays resulted from waiting for the medical examiner’s office and multiple agencies. She preferred to issue a press release only when there is substantive progress. Board members expressed interest in developing clearer communication protocols for future cases.

Key Outcomes

• Elected Officers for 2026: Deborah Porter (Chair), Alexis Stackhouse (Vice Chair), Suzanne Berkey (Secretary).
• Public Hearing Date Set: March 4, 2026 meeting will serve as the public hearing on the Alan Tucker investigation. NACOLE training scheduled for February 4, 2026 (Part I) will proceed; APD training will be on February 28, 2026; the March NACOLE training (Part II) will be rescheduled.
• Outside Counsel Selection: The auditor will contact the three recommended attorneys, collect resumes, and present them to the board for a vote at the February 4, 2026 meeting. A special meeting may be called if needed.
• Community Engagement: Board member Berkey will represent the board at the February 23 PTSA meeting and coordinate with the school newspaper.
• Meeting Adjourned: At 7:58 PM, a motion by Christopher Lewis, seconded by Alexis Stackhouse, passed by voice vote.