“It was just no longer a fit for me professionally and morally” – Porshe Taylor

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Police Oversight Commission Chairperson Porshe Taylor submitted her letter of resignation from the commission, today, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, before tonight’s City Council meeting during which her removal from the commission is agendized.

When reached for comment to explain her absences, Taylor responded, “Thanks, I appreciate the opportunity. But I won’t be giving an explanation. However, the council will be receiving an official resignation letter.”

She then provided a copy of her letter dated October 9, 2026. Asked if it was sent that day and why her removal is on tonight’s meeting agenda Taylor explained, “No, they received [it] today. I wrote it on October 9th. I was unsure if I would defend my absences. But I decided against it simply on what is addressed in the letter. I have several concerns about APOC. It was just no longer a fit for me professionally and morally, if I summarized everything.”

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To: Mayor and Members of the Antioch City Council

Re: Formal Resignation – Chair, Antioch Police Oversight Commission

Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,

Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from the Antioch Police Oversight Commission (APOC), where I have had the distinct honor of serving as Chair throughout all three of my terms.

My tenure has been one of dedication, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and meaningful civilian oversight. Throughout my service, I have worked to establish strong professional relationships with fellow commissioners, city leadership, law enforcement representatives, community organizations, and residents. These relationships have been instrumental in advancing difficult conversations and maintaining a community voice within the oversight process.

However, I would be remiss to conclude my service without acknowledging the systemic challenges that have consistently hindered the Commission’s progress.

Despite years of service, the Commission has experienced limited forward movement in critical areas, including community engagement, policy development, and budget transparency. Particularly concerning is the City Council’s acceptance of our annual report and recommendations, followed by actions and decisions in subsequent years that appeared to contradict the very direction the Commission had formally presented. Accepting recommendations without meaningful consideration or implementation raises legitimate questions about the City’s commitment to civilian oversight.

Equally troubling has been the instability of city staffing and administrative support. Frequent changes in personnel, methodologies, procedures, and expectations have created an inconsistent and often fragmented operating environment. These conditions have made it extraordinarily difficult for community volunteers to establish the stable foundation necessary for an effective and sustainable commission.

Community volunteers should not be expected to provide institutional stability where the institution itself has failed to maintain it.

I firmly believe that effective oversight requires more than the existence of a commission. It requires consistent administrative support, access to relevant information, transparent budgeting, meaningful policy review, and a governing body willing to act upon the work produced by its appointed representatives.

My decision to resign is not a withdrawal from public service or my commitment to accountability. Rather, it is a recognition that my experience, professional relationships, and continued advocacy may now be of greater value outside the limitations of this appointed position.

Through my new business endeavors and the establishment of the People’s Civic Council, I intend to continue advocating for transparency, responsible governance, and community participation. The People’s Civic Council will include a dedicated public safety and police oversight sector tasked with independently monitoring the work and effectiveness of APOC, while addressing other areas of municipal concern identified through community priorities and City Council actions.

I believe I can now be a stronger asset to the community by exercising my voice from the audience rather than being confined to a seat on the dais. My departure from the Commission does not diminish my commitment to its intended purpose; it strengthens my resolve to ensure that purpose is fulfilled.

I leave this position proud of the relationships I have cultivated, the professionalism I have maintained, and the integrity with which I have served throughout three consecutive terms as Chair.

I sincerely hope the City recognizes that meaningful civilian oversight cannot thrive on volunteer dedication alone. It must be supported by institutional consistency, political will, and a genuine commitment to accountability.

While my service as Chair concludes, my responsibility to the community does not. The seat may change, but the standard of accountability should not.

Respectfully,

Porshe Tiara Taylor

Chair, Antioch Police Oversight Commission

Founder & Executive Director, Prison From-The-Inside-Out, Inc.

Founder, People’s Civic Council

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As previously reported, a vote on Taylor’s removal from the APOC is the last regular item, number 19.5, on tonight’s Council meeting agenda. It should now be a moot subject.

the attachments to this post:

APOC mtg 020325 Porshe Taylor Chairperson

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 at 3:24 pm and is filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.