The City Attorney's Office provides legal counsel and representation to the City Council, City Manager, departments of the City government and City-appointed boards and commissions. The City Attorney is appointed by and reports to the City Council. The City Attorney's office provides legal advice at Council meetings, performs legal research, offers advisory opinions, and responds to requests from Council and City staff to draft or review contracts, ordinances and other legal documents. The office represents the City in litigation and provides assistance in the selection of outside legal counsel when necessary. The Police Attorney also provides legal advice and interpretation to the City Police Department and advises and instructs officers on ever-changing laws and court rulings. The City Attorney's office does not provide legal advice to private citizens. If a private citizen has a legal question, the citizen may wish to consider private legal representation.