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…