City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
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Consideration of the Appointment of an Independent Policing Auditor
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ISSUE: Consideration of the Appointment of an Independent Policing Auditor.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council consider the appointment of Ameratu Kamara as the Independent Policing Auditor effective December 22, 2025
BACKGROUND: The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Independent Policing Auditor was first established in April 2021 pursuant to Alexandria City Code Art. 4, Sec. 4-1-5 through 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 along with its authorizing state law.
DISCUSSION: The City’s inaugural Independent Policing Auditor, Kim D. Neal, sadly passed away on December 13, 2024, after a courageous battle with a long-term illness. On January 25, 2025, the City Council appointed Ameratu Kamara as the Acting Independent Policing Auditor.
Kamara is a native Alexandrian dedicated to public safety, community empowerment, government transparency, and police accountability. She graduated from Alexandria City High School in 2014 and was captain of the Girl’s Track and Field team.
Kamara holds a Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Forensic Crime Scene Investigation. She has been an advocate for racial equity, civil rights, prison reform, and criminal justice throughout her academic career with years of experience in litigation, community organizing, re-entry services, and policy analysis.
In 2017, she launched Virginia’s first livestream coverage of a Virginia General Assembly meeting to promote accessibility and transparency in state government. In 2020, she teamed up with Rhode Island Secretary of State, Nellie Gorbea, to educate community members on voter suppression and misinformation.
At the Maryland Office of the Public Defender Appellate Division, she led research on the Racial Justice Project, developing arguments against police racial profiling and pretextual stops. Recently, Kamara served as an inaugural member of the Office of the Community Liaison in New York City, where she worked to bring community voices to the forefront of stop-and-frisk reform alongside the Federal Monitor over NYPD. Kamara has been committed to serving her City of Alexandria community since her first internships with the Alexandria Fire Department, Alexandria Police Department, and Sheriff’s Office in 2013-14.
FISCAL IMPACT: Should the City Council make the appointment, the compensation for the Independent Policing Auditor will be consistent with the City’s pay philosophy.
STAFF:
Cheran Ivery, City Attorney
Sermaine McLean, Chief of Staff