Vallejo police oversight commission names leaders, sets meeting schedule and seeks funding for independent counsel

The Vallejo Police Oversight Advisory Commission elected John Lewis as chair and Renee Sykes as vice chair at its first formal meeting, set the commission’s regular meeting date as the first Monday of each month and opened discussion on staffing and funding needed to begin oversight work.

The commission confirmed Lewis as chair after a nomination and roll-call affirmation; commissioners then confirmed Sykes as vice chair. "Congratulations. We've got a new chair," staff said after the vote. The body agreed, by motion and second, to hold regular meetings on the first Monday of each month and discussed beginning meetings at 6 p.m.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public emphasized that early organizational decisions — leadership, schedule, a functioning secretary and clear rules about attorney representation — will shape whether the commission quickly establishes public trust.

Public speakers urged structural safeguards. "It's critical that both the chair and vice chair be people who can go together, to meetings and things," said Robert Shussell, who identified himself as a Vallejo resident, and urged the commission to seek an independent auditor and lawyer and to publish monthly progress reports on those efforts.

City staff described the legal framework and next steps. City Attorney Nebb told the commission that the ordinance gives the city manager the responsibility to appoint a commission secretary after seeking the commission’s advice and input, and that "the assigned attorney may be an employee of the city attorney's office or a contract attorney or both." City Manager Andrew Murray said he would appoint a secretary and expressed his willingness to serve temporarily in that role during the commission’s initial period.

On budget and independent counsel, staff pointed to an upcoming midyear budget adjustment request to city council scheduled for Feb. 10 as the channel for funding the commission’s baseline needs, and said a request for an independent attorney would be part of that package. "City attorney Nebb already mentioned that she intends to ask for a budget for an independent attorney, so that will be part of that budget request," staff said.

The meeting included repeated discussion of the appearance of independence. City Council liaison Dr. Tanya Letizhu, who identified herself as councilmember and liaison to the commission, urged commissioners to press for the independence the ordinance envisions and to be explicit about the process for obtaining outside counsel.

What happened next: Staff said the commission will receive additional agenda items on budget proposals, complaints policy drafts and procurement of outside counsel; the complaints policy is being revised with the California Department of Justice and is expected back to the commission for public input when the CalDOJ vetting is complete.

The meeting adjourned after commissioners moved and seconded the motion to close the session.