Edward Stevens joined CPOC in January of 2024 as a member of the Auditing and Monitoring Unit, which is now known as the Auditing, Policy, and Research Division. Get ready to hear about his journey, passions, and what drives him at work.

What is a typical day like as an Auditor at CPOC? 

As an Auditing and Research Analyst, I wear many different hats, as the saying goes, so in a typical day I do a diverse range of tasks. Typically, I will begin the day by reviewing completed PC Memos that we receive from the PPD Internal Affairs Department that detail the extent of an investigation into a complaint against police. I read through the PC Memo which details the investigators’ findings for the complainant’s allegations, review Body Worn Camera footage (if available), and look through any additional documentation like medical records, phone video from the complainant, as well as interview transcripts. From there, if needed, I write a feedback memo detailing how I believe the PC Memo could be improved. In a typical day at CPOC, I may also take a complaint against police by phone and then write a complaint referral to forward to IAD.

What drew you to this role in police oversight?

In my undergraduate years I studied Criminology and Sociology. Thus, I spent a lot of time reading academic studies identifying the shortcomings of our nation’s criminal justice system and brainstorming with my professors and fellow students the changes necessary to address these shortcomings. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I embarked on a Fulbright Scholarship and spent two years living in Finland and studying at the University of Helsinki. My goal was to understand the restorative, rehabilitative focus of the Finnish criminal justice system. Upon my return to the USA, I was looking to work somewhere that was working to better our nation’s criminal justice system and I discovered that Philadelphia had created CPOC. It seemed like a perfect fit to return to Philadelphia as an Auditing and Research Analyst to use my research skills to benefit the people of this incredible city.

What is most rewarding part of your job?

Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my job is interacting with people who reach out to our agency for assistance. Whether I am assisting someone in filing a complaint against police, informing a constituent of another city agency or victim services agency that could help them solve an issue they are facing, or just being a listening ear for someone going through a tough time, it is an amazing feeling to know that I have made a positive impact in someone’s life.

What’s your favorite part of working within the Auditing, Policy and Research Division?

After spending a few months providing feedback to IAD investigators on the completed investigation case files, it has been incredible to see a notable increase in the quality and completeness of the investigations. It has helped me see the importance of my role as an Auditor in ensuring that complaints are fairly and thoroughly investigated.

If you could switch roles with anyone at CPOC, who would it be and why?

I am consistently impressed by the work that the CPOC Outreach team does – from community outreach events, informational presentations, victim advocacy, and more. If given the opportunity to switch roles with someone, I would select my colleague Giriana Hernandez, the CPOC Bilingual Community Outreach and Constituent Services Specialist. As part of her role, she has the opportunity to go out into the many neighborhoods of our city, connect with community members and educate them on CPOC’s mission, as well as plan events to bring people together.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Philadelphia is a great city for trying a wide variety of international cuisines, so I have been on a mission to travel to different neighborhoods throughout the city to enjoy as many of our city’s excellent restaurants as possible.

What is your favorite part of Philadelphia?

As a University of Pennsylvania alumnus, University City and the surrounding neighborhoods of West Philadelphia will always have a special place in my heart because I have so many great memories of my time living there.