Kim Neal, a passionate advocate for justice and a beloved public servant, passed away on December 13, 2024, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, after a courageous battle with a long-term illness. 

Kim's radiant smile and infectious laughter were the heart of every room she entered. She possessed a rare ability to bring joy and warmth to others, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she encountered. Her dedication to making the world a better place was matched only by her kindness, her unwavering belief in the potential for change, and her deep commitment to the community.

A pioneer in civilian oversight of law enforcement, Kim's professional life was defined by her tireless work to build trust between police officers and the communities they serve. In December 2022, she became the inaugural Independent Policing Auditor/Director for Alexandria, Virginia, where she worked to enhance accountability and transparency within law enforcement. Her key responsibilities included overseeing investigations, monitoring police functions, and fostering positive relations between the community and law enforcement.

Kim's impact was felt well before her time in Alexandria. She was the first Independent Police Oversight Monitor/Director for Fort Worth, Texas, where she created a groundbreaking restorative justice mediation program. This initiative was designed to repair and transform community-police encounters, providing a model for other cities grappling with similar challenges. Earlier in her career, Kim served as the Executive Director of the Citizen Complaint Authority in Cincinnati, Ohio, overseeing independent investigations into allegations of misconduct by local police officers. In Cincinnati, she also launched the “Real Talk with CCA” program, which created a safe space for youth and law enforcement to engage in open, meaningful dialogue.

Kim was a Washington, D.C. native who held a variety of senior roles throughout her career in law, policy, ethics, investigations, and privacy, with experience across federal, state, and local governments. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law. In addition to her legal training, she was certified in compliance and ethics, as well as in civilian oversight of law enforcement. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) and was a lifelong volunteer and donor to various community and social causes.

Kim was not only a professional trailblazer, but a beloved friend, mentor, and advocate. She inspired many with her vision for a more just world and her unwavering commitment to effecting change. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched, in the programs she created, and in the communities she helped heal.

Kim is survived by her loving family and a network of friends and colleagues who will miss her boundless energy, her spirit of generosity, and her commitment to making the world a better place. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date, and her family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to organizations that support community oversight of law enforcement.

Kim Neal's life was a testament to the power of empathy, justice, and perseverance. While her presence will be deeply missed, her impact will continue to inspire others for generations to come.

The Independent Policing Auditor's (AIPA) office would like to hear your thoughts and opinions on various issues surrounding civilian oversight within the City of Alexandria. In recent months an Ad-Hoc committee made up of 2 representatives from the Independent Community Policing Review Board (ICPRB), 2 APD employees, 2 City Attorney's, and staff from the AIPA office met regularly to discuss proposed changes to the ordinances for both AIPA and the ICPRB. We are now looking to secure feedback from the community on some of those proposed changes.

Please access this survey to provide your feedback. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/de762a63b78445228c458c5bf1a532d1

The City of Alexandria's Office of the Independent Policing Auditor was first established in April 2021 pursuant to Alexandria City Code Art. 4, § 4-1-5 thru 4-1-6 as a mechanism with which to provide oversight and accountability of the Alexandria Police Department (APD). The City of Alexandria’s first Independent Policing Auditor commenced in December 2022. This office serves a proactive leader in law enforcement accountability of APD to the population it serves and is independent of APD. The City Council also voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance establishing the structure of a new Independent Community Policing Review Board, to be effective as of July 1, 2021 along with its authorizing state law.

To promote fair and equitable policing in the City of Alexandria through the promotion of law enforcement accountability, law enforcement transparency and enhancement of public safety, and ultimately, strengthen trust in the community.

• is fair and impartial
• is independent of the Alexandria Police Department.
• conducts reviews and investigations with diligence, integrity, objectively, fairness, and in a timely manner.
• educates and learns from communities it serves.
• consists of a professional, knowledgeable, and trained staff.
• committed to independent and thorough oversight while building bridges with the Alexandria community.

• Complaint, Commendation and Feedback Intake and Review
• APD Policy/Practices Review, Analysis and Recommendations
• Relationship Building
• Community Engagement
• Board Guidance
• Periodic Reporting
• Professional Development & Coverage
• Other Key Initiatives

If you or your community or business group would like to learn more about civilian oversight of law enforcement in the City of Alexandria, we invite you to contact our organization. We are available to speak on a variety of topics at your next meeting, including, but not limited to: Overview of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement; History: Life Before and Life Since Creation of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement in Alexandria; Complaint and Investigations Process; and Other Related Topics. We welcome the opportunity to share more information about our office or the board as well as collaborate with the community more regarding positive enhancement of policing in Alexandria. To schedule a speaker, contact us.