The Albany Common Council has appointed its former attorney, John-Raphael Pichardo, to the city's Community Police Review Board.
Pichardo's appointment to the board's ninth seat marks the first time the CPRB has been fully staffed in several years.
Pichardo previously served as the Counsel of the Albany Common Council, where he offered legal advice to the council's 15 members and drafted local laws.
"John-Raphael was instrumental in keeping the council running during the COVID-19 pandemic and drafting many of the laws in effect in the City to this day, including Local Law J, which reformed the CPRB," the CPRB said in a statement. "We are excited to have him join the CPRB and look forward to his contributions in service to the residents of Albany."
The CPRB's eighth seat was filled earlier this month after Tamel Anderson was appointed to the post.
The CPRB has also hired two professional investigators to more efficiently and cheaply investigate the cases it handles.
"Not only will the board have a full complement of nine members, but our staff will be fully in place as well," CPRB Program Director Garrett Schaaf told the Common Council earlier this month. "We are on track to be able to fully resume and meet all of our obligations and responsibilities fully in 2027. 2026 has been a rebuild year, as I've said on many occasions."
A lack of members and absences have plagued the CPRB for the past year.
Multiple members resigned last fall and winter due to frustrations with the city and the board itself. One member resigned in February after it was revealed that he pleaded guilty to charges for defrauding the federal government.
The board's February, March and June meetings were canceled this year because fewer than five members attended.
Board members serve three-year terms and earn a $250 monthly stipend. Four are appointed by the mayor and five are appointed by the Common Council.
