A civilian-led office created to do oversight of Phoenix police does not have a full staff as a window closes in which the city had estimated that hiring would be done.

Right now the Office of Accountability and Transparency is only able to monitor internal reviews conducted by the Police Department.

Needing a full staff isn’t the only issue keeping the accountability office from being fully operational. Construction on headquarters continues. Internal policies are still being developed. And a deal has yet to be struck with the Phoenix Police Department regarding information sharing.

There’s a new goal to fill all jobs in the accountability office by the end of January 2023.

But another obstacle still looms. The Legislature passed a bill requiring law enforcement officers to outnumber civilian staff in a police oversight agency.

Phoenix sued the state over a similar law last year and won.