Alexandria Independent Community Policing Review Board Meeting: April 1, 2026

The Independent Community Policing Review Board (ICPRB) held a meeting on April 1, 2026, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center. The meeting included a vote to allow Vice Chair Alexis Stackhouse to participate virtually due to a work conflict, approval of the previous meeting’s agenda and minutes, public comment, a presentation by the Independent Policing Auditor (Amiratu) on the ongoing investigation into the death of a loved one in police custody, a 1.5-hour NACOLE training on racial equity and cognitive/implicit biases, discussion of the Board’s letter to APD and Chief McGuire’s response regarding MOU compliance, review of public hearing rules, and scheduling of future meetings. Key topics included the timeliness of the MOU (60 days vs. 60 business days), the Board’s role in reviewing the final report on the Tucker case, and new state legislation (HB 1476) expanding civilian oversight access to records and closed session authority.

Consent Calendar

• Roll Call: Members present: Deborah Porter (Chair), Alexis Stackhouse (Vice Chair, virtual), members Darrlynn Franklin, Christopher Lewis, Jeanne O’Toole, and Jules Tamegue. Secretary Suzanne Berkey was absent.
• Motion to Allow Virtual Participation: Vice Chair Stackhouse was allowed to participate virtually due to a work conflict, motioned by Member Lewis and seconded by Member Franklin.
• Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The agenda and minutes from March 4, 2026, were approved after a proper motion and second (Member Franklin, seconded by Member Lewis).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tina Alexander (family member): Expressed frustration with delays, incomplete autopsy results, and lack of transparency in the case involving her loved one. She questioned why Chief McGuire had not attended any board meetings, contrasting with practices in other jurisdictions. She asked that the board’s report address the incomplete autopsy.
• Frank (founder of Alexandria Accountability): Described his four-year effort to enforce professionalism among APD officers. He claimed that APD leadership and the City Attorney are exploiting an optional exemption to avoid releasing dispositions of sustained complaints, enabling a pattern of non-compliance. He noted similar issues at the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

Discussion Items

• Board Letter to APD & Chief Response: The Board discussed a letter sent to Chief McGuire regarding compliance with the MOU, specifically timeliness of investigations and proper labeling of documents. The Chief’s response, received about six–seven days later, stated that the 60-day timeline began on January 15, 2026 (when the Commonwealth Attorney declined charges), and that he had the authority to extend the deadline for good cause. The Board noted that the Chief did not notify the family, board, or city council as required, and that the final report remained outstanding as of April 1, 2026.
• MOU Discrepancy: Members highlighted that the MOU specifies 60 calendar days, while the ordinance states 60 business days. The Auditor agreed this should be reconciled, likely by amending the MOU.
• Auditor Update on Tucker Investigation: The Auditor reported that APD’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is expected to complete its report by April 8, 2026. She clarified that once the report is released to the Board, it becomes a public document. The family will be notified directly before public release. Several Board members expressed concern that the family would see the report before the Board, with Vice Chair Stackhouse and Member Lewis arguing that all parties should receive the report simultaneously. The City Attorney advised that the report should be released to the Board, APD, and city council at the same time, and that complainants/families should not receive it early to avoid premature press leaks. No formal vote was taken; the MOU’s notification process will be addressed in future revisions.
• HB 1476 – New Legislation: The Auditor summarized new state law (pending governor’s signature) that strengthens civilian oversight authority in three areas: closed session discussions (allowing the Board to view unredacted documents during closed session, but no final decisions can be made there), access to juvenile records, and access to protected victim information. She noted that CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) certification remains unavailable to the Board under current federal law, but a coalition of auditors is working to change that in the next legislative session.
• APD Training and Community Police Academy: Board member Jeanne O’Toole expressed frustration with delays in setting up joint training with APD. The Auditor acknowledged the difficulty and suggested the Board consider reaching out directly to the Chief. She noted that she has repeatedly requested that APD send representatives to board meetings or provide piecemeal training, but has not received a response.
• Public Hearing Rules and Procedures: The Board reviewed draft rules for public hearings. Key changes recommended by members include: clarifying that “the chair” may also refer to a designee, ensuring consistent language referring to the “Independent Community Policing Review Board,” and noting that the “public hearing may be recorded or transcribed” as required by ordinance. Member Christopher Lewis raised the possibility of allowing the chair, with board consent, to suspend rules in exigent circumstances. Member O’Toole suggested changing “shall” to “should” in a section on board member participation. The Board decided not to vote on the rules that night, but would approve them at the start of the next meeting that includes a public hearing.
• Flock Safety Presentation: The Auditor informed the Board that researcher Rebecca Weinstein has offered to present on the privacy and security implications of the Flock Safety license-plate-reader system. The Board may host a community event or invite her to the May meeting.
• NACOLE Training – Part I: Tina, NACOLE Director of Training and Education, delivered a 1.5-hour training on racial equity and cognitive/implicit biases. She covered the difference between equality and equity, the prevalence of racial disparities in policing, and six cognitive biases (confirmation, anchoring, availability, expediency, conformity, blind spot) and six implicit biases (affinity, halo/horns, authority, attribution, perception, and the “like-me” bias). She emphasized activating “System 2” thinking (slow, deliberate) and provided self-check questions to help board members manage biases when reviewing cases.
• Planned Community Engagement: The Auditor announced that the Board will host a listening session at the Juneteenth event (June 19, 2026, 4:30–6 PM) and is working with the researcher on a potential Flock Safety community education event.

Key Outcomes

• MOU Revision: The Board agreed that the discrepancy between the MOU’s 60 calendar days and the ordinance’s 60 business days should be resolved by amending the MOU. The process for notifying complainants of final reports prior to board release will also be addressed in the MOU revision.
• Public Hearing Rules: Final approval of the public hearing rules was deferred. The Board will vote on the rules at the beginning of the next meeting that includes a public hearing.
• Board Member Resignation: Member Lawrence Lewis has stepped down due to a six-month overseas assignment. He may reapply if the seat remains vacant upon his return.
• Next Meetings:
  • May 6, 2026, 6:00 PM – Monthly board meeting plus NACOLE Training Part II.
  • June 3, 2026, 6:00 PM – Monthly board meeting plus NACOLE Training Part III.
  • June 19, 2026 (Juneteenth) – Listening session at Alexandria Pride Festival.
  • APD Annual Training – Date still to be determined.
• Training Reminder: Board members must maintain current status for all city security training to retain access to their city email; failure may result in loss of access.