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Paul ParkerPaul Parker

Executive Director

Paul Parker joined the Commission on Police Practices as the Executive Director in June 2024, after an extensive national search, that included the involvement of a community panel, the City of San Diego Commission on Police Practices (CPP), and the San Diego City Council. Prior to joining the CPP, Mr. Parker served as the Executive Officer of the San Diego County Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) for almost five years, making numerous recommendations to reduce in-custody deaths, increase transparency of law enforcement operations, reduce racially disparate policing practices, and increase communications with family members of persons impacted by in-custody deaths and deaths associated with law enforcement activities.
 
Mr. Parker was previously the Chief Deputy Director at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, Assistant Coroner at the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner, Director of the Pinal County (AZ) Medical Examiner’s Office and held Chief Investigator roles at the San Diego County Medical Examiner Office and Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office (Phoenix, AZ).
Mr. Parker has participated in several thousand on-scene medicolegal death investigations, conducted at least 13,000 solo telephonic/electronically reported medicolegal death investigations, and reviewed and approved reports and circumstances in excess of 20,000 medicolegal additional death investigations. He has also conducted several hundred death notifications.
 
Mr. Parker was a member of the California Coroner Curriculum Development Committee, an instructor at the California Coroner Academy, an American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board Medicolegal Death Investigation Consensus Body Member, and an Executive Board Member of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IAC&ME). He has authored hundreds of policies and procedures pertaining to medicolegal death.
 
Prior to entering the field of death investigation, Mr. Parker had a 10-year law enforcement career during which he progressively held the ranks of police aide, police officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and acting police chief at the Youngtown Police Department (AZ). He was an AZPOST general instructor, physical fitness instructor, field training officer, and hostage negotiator. He has received two lifesaving awards, one for his role as the negotiator in the peaceful resolution of a hostage situation and the other for his efforts during a medical emergency. Mr. Parker was accepted to the FBI National Academy and was the Town Council’s first choice for Police Chief in the late-1990’s but turned down both opportunities to pursue his passion for death investigation after being involved in an on-duty shooting.
 
Mr. Parker is convinced that a properly managed civilian oversight agency helps to increase the community’s trust in its law enforcement agency, especially when collaborative relationships with the community and agency are established. Paul also believes that civilian oversight agencies, even though oftentimes advisory in nature, can start critical community conversations that often result in policy recommendations that, if implemented, would minimize racially disparate practices, minimize uses of force, and increase the safety of community members and police officers alike.
 
Mr. Parker looks forward to assisting the CPP to fulfill its mission by building the staff team, working with all stakeholders to implement the CPP’s draft operating procedures, and increasing transparency of CPP activities.
 

Duane BennettDuane Bennett

CPP Outside Counsel

Duane Bennett has been a practicing Attorney for 39 years. Mr. Bennett has extensive experience in governmental law, employment, contracts, land use, insurance, civil rights, and civil litigation. He was the former Oceanside City Attorney and Port Attorney/General Counsel for the Port of San Diego. Mr. Bennett was the first African American appointed as City Attorney in the County of San Diego. He also served as an Assistant City Attorney, Police Legal Advisor and Deputy District Attorney. Mr. Bennett has been actively involved in litigation and consultant related to civil rights, due process, and equal protection involving law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. He has conducted workplace investigations in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego as well as numerous internal investigations for governmental agencies. Mr. Bennett served many years for the Riverside County Sheriffs’ Association and County of Riverside deciding disciplinary matters and grievances. He has also taught law enforcement courses in the states of Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Even though retired, Mr. Bennett has expanded his private law practice as an experienced arbitrator, mediator and litigator handling employment and commercial disputes involving governmental agencies, financial institutions, and more. He arbitrates and mediates for the American Arbitration Association and serves on the arbitration panel for the San Bernardino Civil Service Commission. Mr. Bennett also serves as outside counsel to San Diego County Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB).

Olga GolubOlga Golub

Chief Investigator

Before joining the San Diego Commission on Police Practices in 2023, Ms. Golub gained her expertise in civilian oversight at the New York Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), an independent city agency overseeing the nation’s largest police force. During her nearly seven-year tenure at the CCRB, Ms. Golub worked as an Investigator of various seniority levels until she became an Investigative Manager, overseeing a team of investigators. As part of the CCRB, Ms. Golub conducted investigations into allegations of force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, offensive language, and sexual misconduct involving uniformed members of the New York City Police Department. Her work at the CCRB allowed her to understand the nuances of the community-police relationship in the nation’s largest city and obtain extensive knowledge in police practices. Ms. Golub worked on cases that included serious force incidents, complex legal matters, and high-profile cases that garnered national media attention or stemmed from mass protests, among others.

Ms. Golub also has a background in investigating sexual violence, sexual harassment, discrimination, and harassment based on protected bases for a major California university and consulting for an international organization focused on developing new strategies to combat transnational organized crime.

Ms. Golub holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies from the City College of New York at the City University of New York.

Contact: golubo@sandiego.gov

 

Aaron Burgess Jr.Aaron Burgess Jr.

Policy Manager

Aaron Burgess Jr. is a dedicated policy professional with a deep commitment to public service and over a decade of experience in community-based criminal justice reform. As the former Lead Public Safety Advisor for the 3rd District of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Aaron played a pivotal role in shaping policies that enhance the efficiency of law enforcement agencies serving over 3.2 million residents. His expertise in strategic planning, administrative operations, and coalition building allowed him to successfully navigate the complex landscape of county departments, ensuring the implementation of intelligent policies that improve public safety outcomes.

During his tenure, Aaron gained firsthand insights into the challenges within the criminal justice system, particularly in County jails. Through direct interactions with staff and inmates, he recognized the critical need for evidence-based solutions, rehabilitation programs, and holistic approaches to reform. This experience has solidified his commitment to advocating for meaningful reforms that prioritize both public safety and social justice.

Aaron's career began as a community organizer for COPE, where he led the ReThink Public Safety San Bernardino County Coalition, a community-driven initiative focused on holding decision-makers accountable through stakeholder engagement and critical conversations. His passion for making a positive impact extends across a diverse range of issue areas, including public safety, mental health, and social finance.

Aaron holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he gained comprehensive knowledge in nonprofit management, strategic planning, public policy, and advocacy. His education, combined with his practical experience, equips him to lead social impact organizations and drive positive change in his community. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Public Law from UC San Diego, further strengthening his foundation in leadership and public policy.

Contact: ADBurgess@sandiego.gov

Yasmeen ObeidYasmeen Obeid

Community Engagement Coordinator

After an extensive national search, that included the involvement of a community panel, the City of San Diego Commission on Police Practices (Commission) selected Yasmeen Obeid as Community Engagement Coordinator. She is primarily responsible for leading outreach efforts to inform and promote awareness of the Commission and increase community involvement in the Commission’s work. The outreach efforts include, but are not limited to, conducting monthly neutral and unbiased presentations and/or discussions with community stakeholders, attending citywide community events/public meetings/forums and building and maintaining effective relationships. Ms. Obeid is a Muslim-Palestinian community organizer, advocate, child of immigrants, and an Ethnic Studies’ Honors graduate from the University of California, San Diego. She was born in Los Angeles, raised in Palestine, and moved back to the US after graduating high school. Ever since, she has worked tirelessly to center the voices of the most marginalized and build community power. As a youth organizer with Mid-City Community Advocacy Network, Ms. Obeid mobilized and engaged the youth and impacted community members in support of various measures including Measure B that established the Commission on Police Practices. In her free time, Ms. Obeid sits on the Steering Committee with Majdal: The Arab Community Center of San Diego as their Advocacy Coordinator, where she focuses on building community power for immigrant and refugee Arab communities in San Diego. In addition, Ms. Obeid serves as a youth advisory board member with Borderlands for Equity, a pro-bono civil rights organization. Finally, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, and caring for her plants and two cats.

Contact: YObeid@sandiego.gov

photo of Alina CondeAlina Conde

Executive Assistant

Ms. Alina Conde has a background of over 12 years of administrative support experience. Previously, working for the San Diego State University Research Foundation at the South Bay Latino Research Center as an Administrative Coordinator. She had the opportunity to build a variety of administrative and budgetary experience of over 20+ research projects and teams. Ms. Conde started her position with the Office of the Commission on Police Practices as an Executive Assistant in June 2021. In this position, Alina Conde has continually supported the Commission's Executive Director, while providing administrative support to the full Commission. Ms. Conde has gained strong communication, proactive problem solving, and project management skills while maintaining the highest level of professionalism. She supports her team and provides additional support to ensure that the Commission’s goals and objectives are accomplished and that day-to-day operations run efficiently.

Contact: AConde@sandiego.gov

 

Jaime Jacinto

Jaime Jacinto

Senior Management Analyst

Jaime Jacinto joins the Office of the Commission on Police Practices with over 23 years of experience in the City of San Diego. Prior to joining the Office, Jaime worked in the Office of Child and Youth Success, the Public Utilities Department (formerly the Water Department), and the Department of Finance.

Jaime Jacinto brings to the Office of the Commission on Police Practices extensive experience in fiscal and budget administration, procurement, project management, rate setting, and special studies.

Jaime assisted various offices manage business operations, create strategic plans and performance scorecards and dashboards, Jaime also assisted with special projects to resolve high water bills and track complaint cases, conduct workforce succession planning and business case evaluations, perform rate studies, and benchmarking studies.

Jaime received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration with an emphasis in City Planning from San Diego State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Contact: JJacinto@sandiego.gov

photo of Jon’Nae McFarlandJon’Nae McFarland

Administrative Aide

Jon’Nae McFarland worked in the Parks and Recreation Department with The City of San Diego for over nine years as an Assistant Center Director. In this role her responsibilities ranged from developing comprehensive and complex recreational programming and special events, issuing a variety of park use permits, resolving citizen complaints and concerns, and assisting with fiscal year budget proposals for numerous recreation centers. Jon’Nae has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Social Change from San Diego State University. She is a San Diego native who is eager to start a new career with the Commission on Police Practices as an Administrative Aide I.

Contact: McFarlandJ@sandiego.gov

photo of Kelsey GansKelsey Gans

Intern

Kelsey currently serves as a Management Intern for the City of San Diego's Commission on Police Practices, working closely with Yasmeen Obeid, the Community Engagement Coordinator. In this role, she supports initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships between the Commission and the diverse communities of San Diego. Her responsibilities include facilitating outreach programs, gathering community feedback, and contributing to policy recommendations that address the public's needs and concerns.

Before joining the Commission, Kelsey worked as a Graduate Intern for the City of San Diego, where she gained experience in cross-departmental collaboration and policy research. As part of her Public Policy studies at UCSD’s School of Global Policy and Strategy, she is developing expertise in statistical analysis and data-driven research to support effective public policy creation.

Kelsey has played a key role in advancing significant legislative initiatives in Hawaii, including the passage of three proposals: the Infant and Toddler Workforce Wage Supplement Pilot Program, the Accreditation Supports Program, and the Infant and Toddler Child Care Slots Pilot Program. These efforts demonstrate her ability to translate research into impactful policy changes.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. In her free time, Kelsey enjoys practicing yoga, playing pickleball, and cooking.

photo of Jorge UribeJorge Uribe

Intern

Jorge Uribe completed a summer internship in 2024 with The City of San Diego’s Employ and Empower program. During the internship, he discovered the Commission on Police Practices Department and wished to contribute to its goals. Jorge is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University where he took an interest in criminal justice reform. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, he was eager to return to San Diego and make use of his newfound knowledge. Jorge believes the CPP is the perfect place to get started on his career in realizing a better criminal justice system, and specifically working towards police accountability. Mr. Uribe is excited to learn all he can from his time with the Office of the Commission on Police Practices.

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