Berkeley Council Will Vote on Police Accountability Director
The city council is scheduled to vote on the appointment of Mary C. Opler to lead the oversight office this Tuesday.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in People
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On September 29, 2026, the Berkeley City Council will vote to confirm Mary C. Opler as the new Director of Police Accountability. Opler currently works as an investigations supervisor at the Office of Police Accountability in Seattle.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to fill a leadership void in the city's oversight office following the departure of the previous director earlier this year. Selecting a permanent head is a key step for the board as it continues its work monitoring municipal police operations.
The proposed annual base salary for the role is $230,000. The position oversees the activities of the Police Accountability Board, which currently operates with eight out of nine total seats filled.
The players
Mary C. Opler
She is the nominee for the Director of Police Accountability position and currently serves as an investigations supervisor for the Office of Police Accountability in Seattle.
Hansel Aguilar
He served as the first Director of Police Accountability in Berkeley from 2022 until his termination in early 2026.
Kathy Lee
She has served as the interim Director of Police Accountability since March 2026.
The details
Opler is a licensed attorney in Washington and brings prior experience as a San Francisco Police Department officer and a criminal prosecutor to the position. Her nomination follows a national search conducted by the city to replace the previous director, Hansel Aguilar, who was fired in February 2026.
Timeline
Hansel Aguilar was hired as the first director in 2022.
The former director was fired in February 2026.
Kathy Lee has served as interim director since March 2026.
The Berkeley City Council is scheduled to vote on the appointment on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment of a new director is a critical milestone for the Berkeley Police Accountability Board, which oversees independent review of law enforcement conduct. This selection marks a structural shift as the agency seeks to solidify its operational leadership following a recent period of interim management.
The appointment determines who will oversee the civilian review process for local law enforcement activities. Residents can expect the new director to manage the daily administrative functions of the office once the confirmation process concludes.
The takeaway
The appointment represents a significant administrative shift for municipal oversight efforts. Establishing stable leadership is essential for ensuring the accountability board maintains consistent investigative standards.
What happens next
The Berkeley City Council is scheduled to cast its vote regarding the appointment of Mary C. Opler on September 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Berkeleyside.
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