The City of Berkeley Police Accountability Board held its 2026 Strategic Planning Session to review the accomplishments and challenges of 2025 and to set goals and metrics for 2026. Key discussions included the ongoing effort to finalize internal regulations, oversight of surveillance technologies such as fixed cameras and drones, and the review of police department contracts for compliance with the city's sanctuary city ordinance. The board also addressed staffing challenges due to a city-imposed hiring freeze, which impacted their capacity to conduct policy reviews and community engagement. They emphasized the need to institutionalize processes for earlier and more effective collaboration with the police department and city council, particularly regarding policy recommendations and budget reviews. Enhancing community participation through increased social media presence and public member involvement in committees was identified as a priority. The board plans to develop clear performance metrics, improve tracking of outstanding items, and advocate for better communication and support from city leadership to increase the board's impact and relevancy.

2026 PAB Strategic Planning Session 2026-01-17