Phoenix has officially appointed Shannon Johanni as the permanent Director of the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT), following a year-long interim period in which she led the fledgling department. City Manager Jeff Barton announced the decision after a comprehensive national search, choosing to retain Johanni to helm efforts bolstering community relations with the police force.
Under Johanni's interim leadership, OAT rapidly embarked on to publish its first monitoring reports—a total of 22 to date. These reports have provided both the Phoenix Police Department and local residents with critical evaluations of the department's administrative investigations. According to information released by the City of Phoenix, Johanni also pioneered the city's first mediations between community members and law enforcement, additionally facilitating the development of the Civilian Review Board (CRB).
"The selection of Shannon Johanni as the permanent director reflects her proven leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency," Barton expressed. Her track record of 25 years in the criminal legal arena encompasses roles as an Assistant City Prosecutor, a law clerk, a Criminal Justice Teaching Fellow, and a victim advocate.
Before taking up the interim director position, Johanni served as the Research Director at the Academy for Justice at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. There, she was instrumental in structuring the strategic plan for its violent crime project and leading discussions on issues core to criminal justice reform. Johanni holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Public Administration, and a Juris Doctor which positions her uniquely to build upon OAT's foundation aimed to deepen connections with the community and to further transparency and accountability.
"I am honored to continue serving the people of Phoenix in this role," Johanni stated when discussing her appointment. The OAT, established by the Phoenix City Council in May 2021, functions as a watchdog over the Phoenix Police Department's administrative investigations, ensuring complaints against officers are objectively managed and providing policy recommendations. Johanni, taking over her duties with immediate effect, appears committed to enriching the office's role in fostering trust and openness between law enforcement and the residents of Phoenix.
