By Christina Jewett
The Sacramento Bee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The director of Sacramento’s Office of Public Safety Accountability office has resigned, leaving the police and fire department oversight role empty for the second time in two years.
In 2005, OPSA Don Casimere resigned to take a job in Richmond. He returned a year later, but resigned again Aug. 10, said city spokeswoman Amy Williams.
City Manager Ray Kerridge has taken over as acting OPSA chief, and OPSA deputy director Francine Tournour is taking over day-to-day operations.
Casimere, a former police officer, was selected by a panel of city activists and started the job in 1999. He monitored citizen complaints about the police and fire departments and earned a reputation for building bridges between community members and the departments.
Casimere left the role to assume an oversight position in Richmond in April of 2005, but was re-hired on a part-time basis in May of 2006.
Casimere oversaw a six-year decline in complaints against officers, despite population growth in the city.
Sacramento attorney Alice Wong said she was on a panel to select Casimere for the position in 2006 and worked with him when she was a community prosecutor.
“The role Casimere also took on informing and educating, not just he community, but the police department,” she said.
Wong said she hopes to see Casimere replaced.
“I have seen changes and I do believe that’s a critical, critical position that should continue to have tremendous impact on the citizens of Sacramento.”
The OPSA hired a deputy director about nine months ago. Tournour has six years of experience in the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department
Copyright 2007 The Sacramento Bee