Alexandria native Amaratu Kamara appointed as permanent Independent Policing Auditor
City Council votes unanimously to elevate acting auditor after nearly a year leading civilian oversight office
The Alexandria City Council voted Tuesday night unanimously to appoint Amaratu Kamara as the city’s permanent Independent Policing Auditor, removing her interim status after nearly a year of leading the civilian oversight office.
Kamara, an Alexandria City High School graduate, has served as acting auditor since late December 2024 following the death of the city’s inaugural auditor, Kim Neal. Her permanent appointment comes after she presented a comprehensive year-end report to the council detailing the office’s progress in implementing civilian oversight systems.
“When I graduated from law school, I really was on a quest to find my purpose,” Kamara told council members after accepting the appointment. “My new mission is to now uplift the voices here in Alexandria.”
The appointment follows months of institution-building under Kamara’s leadership. Since taking over, she has established a new case management system called IA Pro that allows residents to file complaints online, launched community engagement initiatives, and worked to rebuild relationships between the oversight board and the Alexandria Police Department.
The office received eight complaints and four commendations this year. Of those complaints, three fell within the auditor’s jurisdiction and have been investigated to completion, with findings ranging from unfounded to sustained allegations that resulted in corrective action.
Kamara also highlighted her office’s ongoing investigation into the August in-custody death of Allan Tucker. She told council members her office was notified within 30 minutes of the incident and immediately secured access to evidence, including body-worn camera footage. She expects to release her final report within 14 days of receiving the Critical Incident Response Team’s recommendations.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kamara outlined plans to move board meetings from City Hall into community spaces during the building’s closure for renovations—a strategy she described as “meeting the community where they’re at.”
The office also plans to launch a “Police and Policing in Alexandria” summer series exploring the history, present, and future of law enforcement in the city, with events focused on education, engagement, and community feedback scheduled for June, July, and August.
Kamara holds a law degree and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a focus on forensic crime scene investigation. She previously worked with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender on racial justice issues. She served as an inaugural member of the Office of the Community Liaison in New York City, where she worked on stop-and-frisk reform alongside the federal monitor overseeing the NYPD.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins praised Kamara’s commitment before extending the appointment offer.
“What the council has been impressed with is her drive, her commitment to serving the community that raised her, and the work that she has done,” Gaskins said.
Kamara’s parents attended the council meeting to witness her official appointment.
The Independent Policing Auditor position was established in April 2021 as part of Alexandria’s civilian oversight structure. The office maintains full access to Alexandria Police Department records, evidence systems, and personnel while operating independently from the department.