CRB hopefuls Ebony Bowden-Moore and Ryan Hunlock.
An assistant property manager and a criminal defense attorney are both one big step closer to joining the Civilian Review Board, after alders advanced their nominations to serve on the city body that provides independent oversight of investigations into alleged misconduct by New Haven police officers.
On Monday, the Board of Alders Aldermanic Affairs Committee unanimously advanced the nominations of Ebony Bowden-Moore of Fair Haven, who would replace Jayuan Carter to represent Police District #8, and Ryan Hunlock of Beaver Hills, who would replace Kerry McClure to represent Police District #10.
Both candidates submitted applications to join the board, and both were appointed by Mayor Justin Elicker.
Their nomination now head to the full Board of Alders for a final confirmation vote. If approved, both would serve terms that expire on July 1, 2027.
Both are registered Democrats.
The CRB consists of 15 members, though six seats are currently vacant.
The two nominees introduced themselves at Monday evening’s monthly CRB meeting, sharing their professional experiences, community ties, and motivations for seeking a role on the city’s police oversight panel.
Bowden-Moore, an assistant property manager with Boston-based Trinity Management Company, expressed a strong commitment to civic engagement, police accountability, and equitable housing policy. She said her interest in the CRB stems from a desire to ensure fair review of police complaints and strengthen transparency in public safety.
“I wanted higher participation in my community,” she told the Aldermanic Affairs Committee. She added that she hopes to deepen her understanding of municipal ordinances, local law enforcement practices, and how police should engage with civilians.
Bowden-Moore holds an associate degree in Human Services from Gateway Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology – Social Welfare from Albertus Magnus College. She also participated in Yale Law School’s Access to Law School program, which supports underrepresented students who would like to one day attend law school through mentorship and professional development.
In addition to her day job, Bowden-Moore is a recording artist with a regular Friday night performance residency at Foxwoods Casino and is currently studying for the LSAT. Despite her packed schedule, she told alders she is committed to making time for the board’s responsibilities: “I am willing to accommodate my commitments to the best of my ability,” she wrote in her application.
Hunlock, a practicing criminal defense attorney who moved to New Haven from New York four years ago, pledged to bring an even-handed, ethics-driven approach to police oversight.
“Local government works best with active citizen engagement,” Hunlock wrote. “I have a deeply vested interest in the ethical operation of government as well as in holding police officers to a standard of lawful, ethical, professional conduct.”
He pointed to the CRB’s six current vacancies as one reason he chose to apply, and noted his personal ties to law enforcement; his grandfather was a patrol sergeant in New York City. He also emphasized his ability to remain impartial in oversight matters.
“I would approach every investigation and every oversight without bias,” he said.
Hunlock holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Sciences from Empire State College, a master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health from the Sage Colleges, and a law degree, magna cum laude, from Albany Law School of Union University.
If confirmed, Bowden-Moore and Hunlock would join the board as it prepares to expand its training efforts around police accountability and civilian oversight heading into the fall.