Community Police Review Agency Hires Roger Smith as Chief of Special Investigations and Training
OAKLAND, CA (February 21, 2024) – The Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) is pleased to announce that Roger Smith has been hired as CPRA Chief of Special Investigations and Training.
Smith was hired for the role after serving as inaugural Director of the Phoenix Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT). From 2021 to 2024, he hired a staff of thirteen, monitored investigations by the Phoenix Police Department, developed a mediation program, and honorably maintained the independence and impartiality required under the Phoenix City Charter. He is the former Administrator of the Office of Professional Standards in Cleveland, Ohio, where from 2018 to 2021, he managed the agency tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct by the Cleveland Police Department. Smith led the City of Cleveland's efforts to bring agency policies and practices into compliance with the federal consent decree.
Previously, Smith spent nine years as an executive for the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the nation's largest civilian oversight agency. There he served as Executive Agency Counsel from 2007 to 2016, simultaneously serving as Director of Training from 2011 to 2015.
“I am excited for this opportunity to come to Oakland and join the Community Police Review Agency,” Smith said. “As Chief of Special Investigations and Training, I will work closely with staff to develop strong, reliable investigations and to build CPRA’s knowledge and training on the key processes that impact the agency’s work.”
Smith is a member of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), where he has served on the Member Support Committee. His appointment comes as the CPRA is slated to assume many responsibilities of the Oakland Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division.
Prior to his career in civilian oversight, Smith served in array of other notable roles, including as an Agency Attorney for the New York City Department of Correction, where he investigated and litigated disciplinary matters, and as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors that occurred in Manhattan.
Smith is a graduate of the University of Southern California Law School. He received both an M.A. in Journalism and a B.A. in History from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Upon Smith's hiring to the position of Chief of Special Investigations and Training, CPRA Executive Director Mac Muir said, “Roger Smith is one of the best in this profession. He joins us with sparkling credentials and is committed to ensuring constitutional policing. His presence here is a boost to community-driven accountability and in turn, public safety. We're simply thrilled to welcome him to Oakland.”
Smith assumed his new role on February 20, 2024.
