The Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) today announced the release of its 2025 Annual Report, a comprehensive overview of the agency’s expanding role in fostering a Philadelphia that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and strong community engagement within its police department.
The 2025 Annual Report highlights a year of meaningful progress for CPOC, even amid a difficult national climate for police oversight agencies. Under the leadership of Executive Director Tonya McClary, Esq., CPOC has taken major steps to strengthen its current oversight functions, increase engagement with the public, and to continue to advocate for systemic reforms.
“This past year has been one of foundational growth, bold initiatives, and a steadfast commitment to the residents of Philadelphia,” said McClary. “In 2025, we moved beyond the challenges of our early years to implement systems that provide real-time oversight and community-driven reform.”
Key highlights from the 2025 Annual Report include:
• Operational Growth: CPOC welcomed new leadership, including Deputy Executive Director Ewuare Osayande, Esq., and Miguel Garces, who is the first Director of the Data Analytics and Accountability Insights Division.
• Rigorous Policy Audits: The release of vital reports on Body-Worn Camera (BWC) compliance in the 18th and 24th Districts, identifying critical gaps in recording and providing actionable recommendations to improve officer accountability.
• CPOC Remembers: 2025 marked several historic moments that changed the course of history and impacted police oversight nationally and locally. CPOC hosted events that shed a spotlight on those historic moments:
- 40th anniversary of the MOVE bombing in West Philadelphia on May 13, 1985
- 5th anniversary of the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- 5th anniversary of the killing of Walter Wallace Jr. on October 26, 2020 in West Philadelphia.
• Seating of Five New Commissioners: Following a rigorous multi-month search to fill vacancies on the commission, City Council officially confirmed the appointment of five new commissioners on April 10, 2025.
• The pursuit of independent investigations remains a critical issue: The police contract currently prohibits CPOC from conducting autonomous investigations into misconduct. Nevertheless, CPOC persistently advocates for such investigations, supported by national experts and a unified community voice. Although these efforts have not yet succeeded, the movement persists, as Philadelphia continues to require equitable, comprehensive, and impartial independent investigations.
“As we move forward, commissioners are preparing to assume more active roles within the Commission through the creation of committees to strengthen the agency’s overall effectiveness.” Commission Chair Hassan Bennett said. “Commissioners are also planning to increase our direct engagement with residents through town halls, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that the residents of Philadelphia have a meaningful voice in the oversight of policing within their communities.”
Looking ahead to 2026, CPOC is poised to build on its momentum through strategic staffing expansion, enhanced data reporting capabilities, and the celebration of a significant milestone — five years of impactful work.
The full 2025 Annual Report is available on CPOC’s website.
Media Inquiries: For more information, please contact Jodie Eichel at (215) 685-0891, Jodie.Eichel@phila.gov
About the Citizens Police Oversight Commission: The Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) is an independent oversight agency designed to ensure the just, transparent, and efficient administration of criminal justice in Philadelphia. CPOC is committed to conducting fair and timely investigations into police conduct, enhancing the quality of internal investigations, and fostering community engagement and trust. Phila.gov/CPOC