Opinion: There is good news for the Office of Accountability and Transparency, despite the less than amicable split by Roger Smith and Phoenix.
Arizona Republic
A most optimistic take on Roger Smith’s raging resignation is Phoenix’s opportunity to advance more smoothly the police oversight office he led.
Smith — whose last day was Friday — had done the heavy lifting, including what turned out to be a more contentious than necessary interpretation of what the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) is permitted to do on reviewing police misconduct investigations.
A contention that got him in the crosshairs of higher-ups.
He also found out the hard way that a job offer and acceptance do not guarantee a hire. At the last minute, the city deemed Smith’s pick for the staff attorney unqualified because of a previous stint she had with Tucson Police, a law enforcement relationship that city code forbids.
Smith’s work should help the next director
Smith’s successor won’t face the same challenges. Or need to ramp up the office as he had to.