Office of Policing Reform and Accountability

OPRA Staff

Christina Nowak, Deputy Inspector General
September 13, 2023 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner announced today the appointment of Christina Nowak as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Office of Policing Reform and Accountability for the City of Houston. Nowak will investigate complaints and work closely with the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB).

A native Houstonian raised in Alief, Nowak obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and her Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law. She replaces Crystal Okorafor, whom Mayor Turner appointed in 2021 as the City's first DIG. Okorafor resigned for a position in the private sector.

"The Deputy Inspector General will help organize gun buybacks and other aspects of the One Safe Houston initiative, which has reduced crime. Nowak also will serve as an ombudsman for the citizens of Houston, which is key to restoring and maintaining the public's confidence," said Mayor Turner. "I look forward to working with her. She has the background and experience to take this role to the next level."

Nowak started her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County in New York City, prosecuting narcotics cases and specializing in the prosecution of gangs and homicides. After her decade-long career as a prosecutor, she joined the New York City Department of Education's Office of Special Investigations as Deputy Director, overseeing investigations of complaints for one of the largest school districts in the country. From there, she joined the New York City Fire Department as Deputy Director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office. She acted in an oversight capacity pursuant to a federal monitor for that division.  Read the full Mayor's Office Press Release ...

Teena Jason, Chief of Staff / Sr. Staff Analyst
Ms. Jason’s responsibilities will include working alongside the DIG to assist the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB) by investigating allegations of police misconduct as identified by IPOB, and independent of the Internal Affairs Division. She will also assist in the implementation of specific plans for community outreach and play an active role in public engagement to understand community concerns pertaining to police misconduct. Tracking the progress of initiatives related to One Safe Houston, and the Mayor’s Task Force recommendations on policing reform are also some of her other responsibilities.

Ms. Jason has lived in Houston for over 15 years and calls Houston her home. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in computer science and a Master’s in business administration from the University of Houston. She has over 10 years of work experience in both private and public sectors, overseas and at home. For the past five years she has worked in Houston Public Works leading projects involving complex data sets and analyzing data using quantitative techniques to drive insights for the business.