Meet the Staff

The Office of the Community Ombudsman has a small staff.  In addition to the ombudsman, there is a deputy ombudsman, an investigative analyst, and a part-time investigator.  The four handle over a thousand citizen contacts a year, audit the police department's internal investigations, investigate critical incidents, investigate citizen complaints and appeals, resolve service quality inquiries, provide mediation, conduct community outreach, research best practices in police policies and training, and work to continuously improve their own processes. It is possible to accomplish all of this because of the people on the staff.  Each one is truly dedicated to serving the community with integrity and dedication.

Pierce Murphy, Ombudsman
Mr. Murphy was appointed by the Mayor and the City Council on March 2, 1999, and began work on April 5, 1999.  Mr. Murphy has extensive experience in human resource management, facilitation, mediation and investigation.  Mr. Murphy earned a Master of Pastorial Studies degree in theology from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.  Mr. Murphy began his career in 1972, as a law enforcement officer with the City of Menlo Park in California.  Following his graduate studies and from 1986, until 1994, Mr. Murphy maintained an active Human Resource Management consulting practice with clients throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.  In 1994, Mr. Murphy joined the Paper Division of the Boise Cascade Corporation as Manager of Human Resource Development.  He and his family make their home in Boise.

Phoebe Smith, Deputy Ombudsman
Ms. Smith was appointed by the City Council on March 14, 2006.  She brings to the position a significant background in law.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Smith College and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oregon School of Law.  She is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Idaho.  Following graduation from law school, Ms. Smith practiced in the area of insurance defense.  Her public service includes an appointment as a deputy attorney general for the State of Idaho.  She also served as a law clerk to the Idaho Court of Appeals and the Fourth District Court of Ada County.  Ms. Smith actively contributes to the community and has held leadership positions in several non-profit organizations.  She and her family are residents of Boise.

Jennifer Butler, Investigative Analyst
Ms. Butler joined the Office of the Community Ombudsman in July 2005.  Ms. Butler received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Idaho State University.  She has taught in Idaho and Nevada, as well as, the Federated States of Micronesia where she served as a School and Community Coordinator in the United States Peace Corps.  Her experiences as a teacher and Peace Corps volunteer have enhanced her ability to work with a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds.  Ms. Butler also has an extensive office environment background that makes her an asset to the position.  Her skills are an integral part of the process of our daily operations.  Ms. Butler and her husband reside in Boise.

Dennis Dunne, Investigator (on-call)
Mr. Dunne began working in the ombudsman's office in 2005, as a volunteer.  In late 2005, early 2006, he served for four months as acting deputy ombudsman.  Mr. Dunne's expertise proved invaluable during this time and he now serves as an investigator with the office on a part-time basis.  Mr. Dunne received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California at Davis and a Master in Public Administration from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California.  He began his career in law enforcement in 1970, and retired in 2002, at a supervisory level.  He has experience working in patrol, traffic, personnel administration, investigations, and training.  Mr. Dunne also served as an in-service coordinator and instructor for the police academy, teaching Supervision, Field Training Officer, Background Investigation, and Driving and Force Options Simulator courses.  Mr. Dunne and his family currently live in Boise.