January 1, 2026

Dear NACOLE members and supporters:

It’s an honor to commence my two-year term as NACOLE’s president.  I look forward to working with all of you, my colleagues on the board of directors, and NACOLE’s executive director and staff members to continue expanding NACOLE’s educational programming, training, and membership engagement and support. 

This is a challenging time for all of us dedicated to independent civilian oversight that makes local law enforcement agencies, jails, and prisons more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the communities they serve.  The United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section has largely abandoned its law enforcement accountability work.  Invoking state preemption powers, states such as Florida and Iowa have banned oversight entities, and other states, such as Arizona, Tennessee, and Utah have reshaped and curbed local oversight entities’ authority.  State and local governments face bleak budgets and deepening entrenchment.  We’re also witnessing federal immigration enforcement tactics inconsistent with best practices that police departments have developed over the years, often at the behest of civilian oversight.   

These challenging times make NACOLE’s work—based on the principle that in a democratic society, police and correctional officers are answerable to the public—more important than ever.

Last year, NACOLE worked to establish two strategic priorities, which I will seek to effectuate as president.  First, NACOLE will strive to increase its net revenues to expand and retain staff, including the creation of a sustainable and ongoing fundraising program that involves tracking and increasing yearly donations, sponsorships, and grants.  Expanding and retaining staff will allow NACOLE to continue increasing its capacity to educate communities about civilian oversight; broaden training programs for members and stakeholders; maintain and routinely update a comprehensive repository of civilian oversight of law enforcement data, research, and resources; and enhance membership support programs.

Second, NACOLE will work to develop strategies in collaboration with our members and supporters and build relationships with advocacy organizations to address existential threats to civilian oversight.  Such strategies will create opportunities for NACOLE to influence legislative and executive decision-making, affect public perception of oversight, and provide targeted support to members and jurisdictions under fire.

I am grateful to serve alongside a strong slate of officers in 2026—Vice President George Perezvelez, Treasurer Bart Logue, Secretary Bonycle Sokunbi, and Immediate Past President Anthony Finnell—and, together, with the rest of the board of directors and staff, we are committed to advancing NACOLE’s mission and supporting our members’ vital work. 

Thank you for all your work and your contributions to the independent civilian oversight of law enforcement.

Florence L. Finkle
NACOLE President