Staff

Stella Cziment is an advocate and attorney dedicated to serving the city of New Orleans. Stella was appointed to be the Independent Police Monitor for the City of New Orleans by the Ethics Review Board in April 2022. Previously, Stella served as the Deputy Independent Police Monitor under Susan Hutson. As the Acting Independent Police Monitor, Stella oversees the Complaints and Misconduct work conducted by OIPM, monitors disciplinary proceedings, advises the NOPD leadership on policy and investigative best practices along with high level projects and policing tactics, and works with governmental and community partners on policing initiatives and issues. Since becoming the Acting Independent Police Monitor, Stella as released reports on the compliance of policing during Hurricane Ida and the selection and promotion process of the 15 new NOPD captains in the winter of 2021.

Prior to her work at OIPM, Stella was the Director of Enrollment Transitions for the Recovery School District and the Director of the Student Hearing Office for the Orleans Parish School Board. As a director within the school districts, Stella coordinated a team and oversaw the operation of the Student Hearing Office, the Hardship Transfer process, the enrollment of students returning from adult incarceration or other system related breaks in education, and the enrollment and transfer of students receiving SPED services. Stella’s efforts resulted in a 33% reduction in expulsion hearings for two school years in a row. Prior to her work at the school district, Stella defended residents of New Orleans in Criminal District Court and Orleans Municipal Court as a public defender. Stella attended Tulane University Law School where she clerked for the community development division of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington D.C. and the New Orleans office of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.

Bonycle joined the Office of the Independent Police Monitor as the Executive Director of Community Relations where she taught a record number of Learn Your Rights in the Community Trainings before quickly being moved to a new role, Chief Monitor of Use of Force. Bonycle oversees the Use of Force department, monitors use of force and critical incident investigations and the Use of Force Review Board along with providing recommendations and input into NOPD’s tactics, training, policy, and discipline regarding force. Bonycle oversaw the oversight monitoring and review of the NOPD investigation into the use of force on the Crescent City Connection Bridge during the 2020 protests and other significant use of force incidents and officer involved shootings. Now, Bonycle serves the office as the Deputy Police Monitor overseeing misconduct and force investigations.

Prior to accepting her current position, Bonycle proudly represented the people as a prosecutor in New Orleans for more than five years. As a prosecutor, Bonycle led the prosecution team in cases ranging from low-level misdemeanors to the most egregious crimes of violence. As a prosecutor, Bonycle practiced responsible and ethical discretion to ensure her convictions were thoughtful and comprehensive. Bonycle attended Loyola Law School where she led mock trial teams and received honors for her trial advocacy skills.

Renee’ Livious joined the Office of the Independent Police Monitor in January 2016. Renee’ holds an M.A. in Accountancy and a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. She is the proud mother of three sons and a loving wife. She enjoys bowling and sports. She is a military brat who has traveled the world with her parents while they served in the United States Air Force. She has lived on and off in New Orleans since a child.

Jules Griff is a mediator, facilitator, restorative approaches specialist, and trainer. Jules serves as the New Orleans Community-Police Mediation Program Director, overseeing all program operations including policy, evaluation, mediator training and development, outreach, and case management. Jules has worked with the CPMP since 2015 as a mediator and coordinator and has served as program director since 2017. Jules is a Certified Mediator in the Inclusive Model of Mediation and a Community Conferencing facilitator and trainer of Restorative Approaches. She is a volunteer with the Center for Restorative Approaches, providing conflict resolution in New Orleans schools. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Re-entry Mediation Institute of Louisiana (REMILA) and the Louisiana Collaborative for Conflict & Accountability (LCCA). Jules received a BA in history and humanistic studies from McGill University in Montreal.

Christian Jamal joined the Office of the Independent Police Monitor as the Misconduct and Force Specialist in July 2022. Christian obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Tulane University, double majoring in Communication and Political Science. Christian attended Tulane University Law School where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. While at Tulane Law School, Christian performed pro-bono work for the New Orleans Entertainment Law Legal Assistance Project and also participated in current City Councilmember Lesli Harris’s Trademark Lab, providing assistance to local businesses and artists in their applications for Trademarks. During his 3L year, Christian began work with the Office of the Independent Police Monitor as a student extern. Christian has been an advocate for criminal justice reform and has worked at various criminal justice-focused organizations since he arrived in New Orleans in 2015.

Accountability breeds response-ability.

― Stephen R. Covey