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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria's Independent Community Policing Review Board voted unanimously on Wednesday to declare the Independent Policing Auditor's investigation into the in-custody death of Allan F. Tucker II incomplete, sending the case back to auditor Ameratu Kamara with a list of questions the board said must be answered before it can issue a final decision.
The 6-0 vote, taken during a virtual continuation of Monday's public hearing, does not clear the officers involved of the sustained policy violations Kamara found in her June 22 report. Rather, it asks Kamara to return with additional information before the board concurs with, rejects, or refers the findings elsewhere. Under the city ordinance, the board's recommendation for additional investigation requires final approval by city council before Kamara can proceed — though whether that approval is required before she begins or only if she declines to investigate was a point of debate during Wednesday's meeting that was not fully resolved.
Wednesday's vote came while the city council was holding its own concurrent public hearing and legislative session. The next scheduled council meetings are in September, though a special session before then remains possible. Board Chair Deborah Porter acknowledged the timing after the vote. "Today being the last day the council is in session — so this waits until September, is that what we're saying?" she asked. Assistant City Attorney Robert Porter said it was possible the approval could come earlier but could not promise anything. "I can't say at this time," he said.
What the board wants
Board members identified several areas they said were left unresolved in Kamara's June 22 report. The most prominent was the supervising sergeant, a 24-year veteran whom Kamara's report cleared of policy violations but flagged for the board's further consideration. Board member Jeanne O'Toole, the board's retired law enforcement representative, said Monday she believed the sergeant's performance represented a supervisory failure — noting that he directed officers to continue to the jail with lights and sirens, never recommended the detox center as an alternative, and did not follow up on Tucker's condition during the 40-to-45 minute sallyport wait.
Secretary Suzanne Berkey said the board also needs to understand when the officers involved last received training on the medical care and prisoner transport policies at issue — a question the auditor said she could not answer from the available evidence.
Member Christopher Lewis, who offered the motion, said the incomplete finding was also driven by the board's inability to access Kamara's disciplinary recommendations to Police Chief Tarrick McGuire. Those recommendations are shielded from public disclosure under state law, classified as personnel records. Lewis said he hoped the board could find a procedural path — perhaps through a confidential report — to receive that information going forward. "I think that would be good for what I think was the intent of the council," he said.
Vice Chair Alexis Stackhouse made a specific request on the record: she wants the auditor to return with the full legal basis, case citations, and statutory language explaining why disciplinary recommendations cannot be made public. "I don't want somebody just telling me," Stackhouse said. "I want to be able to read it and do further research myself."
Stackhouse also said she wanted any additional investigation focused squarely on APD rather than the Sheriff's Office. "I'm laser focused on what's going on with APD," she said. "This young man was under arrest and in the custody of APD."
Lewis also noted conflicting accounts between the Sheriff's Office and the auditor regarding their communication during the investigation, calling for those facts to be reconciled before the board issues a final decision.
Kamara said she had no objection to conducting additional investigation. "I have no issues going in and reinvestigating against the sergeant," she said, adding that she wanted to ensure the board was following the ordinance correctly before proceeding.
A formal letter and a closed session
Following the vote, Secretary Berkey recommended the board send a formal letter to the appropriate parties — including city council, the city manager, APD, and the auditor — outlining its decision and the specific areas it identified as incomplete. The board agreed.
The board then moved into closed executive session to consult with legal counsel on two matters: recent state legislation governing police civilian review board meetings, and the extent of the board's authority under the city code — including the unresolved question of when and whether city council approval is required for additional investigation.
Tucker's mother and sister return with gratitude
During the board's regular July meeting following the vote, two of Tucker's family members addressed the board during public comment — this time with gratitude rather than demands.
Sandra Jones, Tucker's mother, spoke first. "Ms. Kamara, despite those difficult moments, you never responded with impatience or defense," she said. "Instead, you consistently treated me with the utmost respect, compassion, and dignity. Most importantly, you never made me feel as though my voice or Allen's life did not matter."
She also thanked the board members directly. "I recognize that you serve as volunteers dedicating your personal time and energy," she said. "Your willingness to serve your community and carefully consider matters of police accountability deserves recognition and respect."
Tucker's sister, Brittany Tucker, echoed that sentiment. "Your commitment to conducting a thorough independent review has meant more to us than words can express," she said. "Your willingness to hold the process to a high standard has given our family hope that accountability and transparency are possible."
She also offered a pointed final observation about the process overall. "It's messy," Brittany Tucker said. "There's been a lot of twists and turns and hiding of hands along the way. This entire process and system needs to be reviewed and reinforced."
What happens next
Kamara has indicated she is willing to conduct the additional investigation the board has requested. Whether city council must formally approve that step before she can begin — or only if she declines — was debated Wednesday and not definitively resolved.
Once the procedural path is cleared, Kamara will conduct the additional review and return to the board with a supplemental or revised report. The board will then hold another public hearing and vote.
Under the city ordinance, the board's recommendation for additional investigation requires final approval by city council before Kamara can proceed. The ordinance is explicit: the board may recommend additional investigation "by majority vote and final approval by city council." A separate provision addresses the scenario in which the auditor declines to conduct further investigation — but the council approval requirement applies regardless. Kamara said she has no objection to conducting the additional review and is prepared to proceed once the procedural path is cleared.
The board's next scheduled meeting is August 5, which will include NACOLE training. The Tucker case is not expected to return to the board until after the procedural questions around city council's role are resolved.
The Alexandria Brief will continue to follow this case.
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore
