National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement

Urgent Priorities to Further Our Reform Efforts

The field of oversight of law enforcement has grown significantly in the last few years. With it, the needs of practitioners and communities looking to establish civilian oversight have also grown; the current national outcry for police reform has accelerated that growth rapidly. NACOLE is working hard to meet the demand but money is often a limiting factor. With your help, we could increase our capacity for outreach, advocacy, and education. We want to strengthen and expand oversight throughout the country, and give those tasked with doing this challenging and essential work the support and professional development they need to be strong, effective community-change agents. Your donation will directly support NACOLE’s top 3 priorities:

1. Advocacy for civilian oversight

2. Training of oversight professionals

3. Defining and defending oversight with state-of-the-field research and data

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RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 29th Annual NACOLE Conference

The 29th Annual Conference is scheduled to take place November 12-16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. This year's event will bring together experts from the United States and around the world to discuss ways in which we can assess oversight systems, implement effective practices, and build better oversight. Sessions will focus on the momentum of the last three years, speakers will share information on strengthening the work of police, jail, and prison oversight, and particpants will be able to share innovations in oversight and law enforcement that will push civilian oversight forward in this continued era of reform. Read More

NACOLE Urges Governor Lee to Veto SB 591

NACOLE has recently send a letter to Governor Lee of Tennessee urging him to veto SB 591. The bill, sent to the Governor for signature on May 9, 2023, will abolish existing community oversight mechanisms and undermine local authority and the will of the people within these communities who overwhelmingly support strong, independent, and effective civilian oversight of law enforcement. Read More

NACOLE is Hiring!

NACOLE is currently seeking a Director of Training to oversee the development and delivery of all training and technical assistance programs. The Director will be responsible for the content development, programming, and speaker acquisition associated with conferences, webinars, symposia, and other special training events for a wide range of audiences. Read More

NACOLE Hires Inaugural Executive Director

We are proud to announce that Cameron (Camme) McEllhiney has been selected as the organization’s inaugural Executive Director. We are confident that under her leadership and passion for the work, the organization’s success and impact in fulfilling its mission and vision will continue to grow and flourish. Read More

New listings posted regularly. Click below to see current job postings.

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Click Here to See Additional Upcoming Events

Wednesday, June 07, 2023 at 01:00 PM

2023 NACOLE Webinar Series

Understanding Force Used in Effecting Arrests

Understanding the types of force officers are taught to apply when effecting arrests is a critical skill for oversight investigators, board and commission members, and anyone who reviews police reports or video footage of use of force incidents. On June 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. EST NACOLE will welcome Retired Captain Spencer Fomby to discuss and demonstrate basic academy-taught use of force techniques used to effect arrests. Using slides and video, he will demonstrate the correct and incorrect way to apply restraint holds and takedowns, deliver body strikes, apply handcuffs, among other types of force. Captain Fomby is the former director of the Boise, Idaho Police Department's Training, Education, and Development Division. He was previously employed by the Berkeley Police Department in California for 20 years. He has held primary assignments in patrol, narcotics, and crime prevention. He was assigned to SWAT for 18 years as an entry team member, team leader, and tactical commander.

Retired Captain Spencer Fomby is the former director of the Boise, Idaho Police Department's Training, Education, and Development Division. He was previously employed by the Berkeley Police Department in California for 20 years. He has held primary assignments in patrol, narcotics, and crime prevention. He was assigned to SWAT for 18 years as an entry team member, team leader, and tactical commander.

Spencer is a certified instructor in firearms, defensive tactics, less-lethal weapons, SWAT, Public Order, chemical agents, and de-escalation. Spencer has been recognized as a subject matter expert in police tactics and works on several national projects. He is the section chair for the National Tactical Officers Association Public Order Section. Spencer was the 2011 Berkeley Police Department Officer of the Year.

He was the team leader of the 2013 Urban Shield SWAT Competition first place team. He was also a Visiting Fellow in Police Science at the University of Derby. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Howard University.

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