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Meet the head of the city's Civilian Police Oversight Agency
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Albuquerque’s Civilian Police Oversight Agency has a new director, who also happens to be the old director.
The Albuquerque City Council selected interim director Dianne McDermott from three finalists to serve as the agency’s new director.
The Civilian Police Oversight Agency investigates and reviews complaints or commendations of the city’s police department—a timely topic given the FBI investigation into the department’s DWI cases. The FBI is investigating the Albuquerque Police Department for alleged corruption connected to APD’s DWI department.
The CPOA also reviews the police department’s policies and procedures, so it can give the police chief recommendations. Along with overseeing the agency, reviewing complaint investigations and monitoring internal affairs investigations, the CPOA director can recommend officer discipline to the Office of Police Reform.
McDermott has a bachelor’s in psychology and criminology, a master’s degree in security management, and has been working with the city since 2006. She’s previously worked for the CPOA as investigator and lead investigator.
The Civilian Police Oversight Agency also has a five-member advisory board, which includes Aaron Calderon, Rowan Wymark, Gail Oliver, Zander Bolyanatz and Shama E. Newton.
