Berkeley Police Oversight Office in Turmoil After Director's Sudden Firing

Civilian oversight board faces vacancies and resistance from police union as it fights to maintain independence

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The sudden firing of Berkeley's Director of Police Accountability, Hansel Aguilar, has thrown the city's civilian police oversight apparatus into disarray. The Police Accountability Board (PAB) is now down to just four members, facing resistance from the police union, and struggling to maintain its independence and effectiveness in the face of what it sees as obstruction from the City Council and police leadership.

Why it matters

Berkeley's police oversight system has been touted as a national model, but the recent turmoil raises concerns about the long-term viability of civilian oversight and the ability of the community to hold the police department accountable. The conflict also highlights the ongoing tensions between police unions, city officials, and civilian oversight bodies across the country.

The details

Aguilar's dismissal came after months of escalating tension between his office and the PAB on one side, and the City Council, Berkeley Police Department leadership, and other city agencies on the other. The police union has accused the oversight bodies of violating workplace protections, and at least one of their complaints has led to a state labor investigation. Meanwhile, the PAB has objected to the police department's efforts to expand the use of surveillance technology and crowd control weapons, only to be overruled by the City Council.

  • In December, Aguilar sued the police chief in an attempt to get records related to a complaint against the police, but a judge denied his petition.
  • In the weeks before Aguilar's firing, two veteran PAB members suddenly resigned, citing frustration with the obstruction and resistance to reform.
  • Aguilar was fired on February 13, 2026, with the City Council providing no specific reason for the dismissal.

The players

Hansel Aguilar

The former Director of Police Accountability, who was suddenly fired by the Berkeley City Council.

Joshua Cayetano

The chair of the Berkeley Police Accountability Board, who expressed surprise and disappointment at Aguilar's dismissal.

Leah Wilson

The vice-chair of the Berkeley Police Accountability Board, who criticized the City Council's actions and the ongoing resistance from the police department.

Jen Louis

The chief of the Berkeley Police Department, who was sued by Aguilar in an attempt to obtain records related to a complaint against the police.

Neil Egbert

The president of the Berkeley Police Association, the union representing the department's rank-and-file and supervisors.

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What they’re saying

“It is difficult to comment on the exact nature of his departure, as neither myself nor the Police Accountability Board were consulted by the City Council prior to his dismissal.”

— Joshua Cayetano, Chair, Berkeley Police Accountability Board (Berkeleyside)

“What we're seeing right now is, one after another, successful proposals to increase the use of expensive military and surveillance equipment and to expand the reach of the department in a city that is very undeniably relatively safe, if you look at our actual crime statistics.”

— Leah Wilson, Vice-Chair, Berkeley Police Accountability Board (Berkeleyside)

“Our role is to advocate for our members and to ensure that any oversight framework is implemented in compliance with labor law and with full respect for due process protections. We remain open to working collaboratively with city leadership and the future ODPA Director to finalize permanent regulations and build a respectful, professional working relationship that strengthens transparency, fairness, and public trust while also protecting the rights and working conditions of Berkeley police officers.”

— Neil Egbert, President, Berkeley Police Association (Berkeleyside)

What’s next

The Berkeley City Council is expected to meet soon to consider appointing an interim director of the Office of the Director of Police Accountability and begin the process of hiring a permanent successor to Hansel Aguilar.

The takeaway

The turmoil surrounding Berkeley's police oversight system highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining effective civilian oversight in the face of resistance from police unions and the complexities of balancing transparency, accountability, and the rights of officers. The future of Berkeley's model of police accountability remains uncertain as the city works to rebuild its oversight apparatus.