CRB committee presses mayor’s office for update on long-running OPA complaint; directs staff to seek reply

Members of the Community Review Board Executive Committee said they have not received a substantive response from the mayor’s administration about a long-running complaint filed with the Office of Police Accountability and directed staff to seek a status update from Director Wally Dietz before the next board meeting.

"This board I don't know about you all...I feel something is...this lack of respect" for unanswered letters, Director Hill said, describing multiple letters delivered to the mayor's office and a hand-delivered letter from July 30 that had not been acknowledged. Committee members described the underlying matter as a large complaint with multiple allegations and said the investigation began in June 2024 and remains pending.

After discussion the committee voted to request a response from Director Dietz and to allow the ballot to consider further steps at the next board meeting if the response is unsatisfactory. Committee members discussed next steps that could include notifying Metro Council members and publishing an op-ed to draw public attention if they do not receive adequate information. Board members noted the mayor has retained independent counsel on the matter, and that legal constraints could limit what the administration can disclose while that arrangement remains in place.

Committee members asked staff to attempt a phone call or meeting with Director Dietz immediately and to report any response to the chair. "I would be happy to call Director Dietz," a staff speaker said during the meeting; committee members asked that staff try that contact before pursuing outside avenues.

The committee recorded the motion to request a response and agreed on a timeline: staff will seek a reply from Director Dietz by the Thursday before the next full-board meeting; if the reply is unsatisfactory or absent, the committee will consider a formal request to the mayor or Metro Council at the next meeting.