Michelle N. Phillips was appointed as the first independent Inspector General (IG) of the Oakland Police Commission
Oakland, CA – The Black Owned Project 365 will host a special Black History Month Community Meet & Greet with Oakland Police Commission Inspector General Michelle Phillips. The event will be held Friday, February 25th at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle located at 410 14th Street, Oakland, California, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Black Owned Project 365 is a 501(c)3 organization, committed to addressing racial and wealth disparities in Oakland by empowering and convening BIPOC communities through capacity building, policy awareness, professional development, and financial literacy to rebuild healthy and thriving communities. Recognizing Michelle N. Phillips is truly a historic celebration for Oakland.
Michelle N. Phillips was appointed as the first independent Inspector General (IG) of the Oakland Police Commission in January 2020. She has spent her professional career conducting police science research and governmental oversight. Ms. Phillips experience with the criminal justice system beginning as a correctional officer in 2004. She used that experience and pivoted into areas of police technical assistance and research and local governmental oversight.
Prior to her appointment as Oaklands Inspector General, Ms. Phillips was the Deputy Inspector General of Investigations for the City of Baltimore. Among other things, she was responsible for overseeing the investigative operations of the office as they related to allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, and public corruption. Ms. Phillips assisted in ensuring accountability adherence to best practices, policies, procedures, and operations; by conducting investigations that would provide guidance to City officials related to fiscal waste, mismanagement, and at times public corruption and misconduct.
Before working for the City of Baltimore Office of the Inspector General, Ms. Phillips was a project associate for the National Police Foundation. She assisted in the implementation of an officer-involved shooting database. She also researched community policing in crime hot spots and reviews of police responses to critical incidents across the nation. Ms. Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University and a master’s degree from the University of Baltimore.