CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE
CITY COUNCIL
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: All Councilors
FROM: Chris Sylvan, Neighborhood Liaison Office of Neighborhood Coordination
SUBJECT:
title
Appointment of Diane McDermott as Interim Director of the Civilian Police Oversight Agency
body
City Council staff recommends that Ms. Diane McDermott be appointed Interim Director of the Civilian Police Oversight Agency (CPOA) in accordance with the provisions of the Police Oversight Ordinance, Section §9-4-1-7, which provides that, “If for any reason there is a period of time during which there is no Director, the City Council may appoint a temporary Director by a majority vote. A temporary Director shall serve in that capacity only for a period not to exceed six months, during which time the Board shall work diligently to select a permanent Director.”
In the event that she is appointed, Ms. McDermott will fill the position currently occupied by Director Edward Harness who has resigned, effective November 15, 2021.
Currently, Ms. McDermott, who has been with the CPOA since 2016, is the Lead Investigator of the Agency. A graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BA in Psychology and Criminology, she also holds a Paralegal Certificate. Additionally, she holds a Master's Degree in Security Management from Webster University. Along with her degrees, Ms. McDermott also holds several certificates that complement her role at the Agency as an Investigator. The skills and certificates include Criminal Interview and Interrogation Techniques, Certified Practitioner of Oversight, Internal Affairs Investigations-Conducting Proper and Effective Investigations, and Advanced Internal Affairs Investigations.
As a volunteer, Ms. McDermott has been active in the community. Volunteer work she has undertaken includes work at the Agora Crisis Center and the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), where she held several officer positions.
Having previously served as Interim Director of the CPOA, Ms. McDermott appears best suited to step into the position again until a permanent Director is appointed.