Our new Chief must address use of force issues and end the need for a court-appointed monitor. The Oakland Police Commission recently announced four finalists under consideration for the role of Oakland’s next chief of police.. Oakland is hiring a new police chief. The Commission demands a leader who will diversify and grow the Department to the level of respect that our officers and community deserve. Oakland May 6, 2020 Former Oakland Police Chief Files Unlawful Termination Claim Against City "I’m really optimistic that within a year we’ll see full compliance," Armstrong said. OPD is in its 18th year of oversight by a federal judge stemming from a class action lawsuit brought against the city in 2000 by over 100 Black men who accused officers of brutality and planting evidence. BondGraham's work has also appeared with KQED, ProPublica and other leading national and local outlets. About 200 Oakland police officers gathered at their police union headquarters late Tuesday morning to say an emotional goodbye to police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. If you find our work valuable, we hope you’ll show your support and keep our journalism free for all readers by becoming a monthly member of The Oaklandside. Shortly upon retirement, Chief Manheimer was selected by Mayor Libby Schaaf to serve as Interim Police Chief for the City of Oakland in April of 2020. Oakland, CA. She said the discussion to fire the police chief began about a week ago. February 8, 2021. Officers with the Oakland Police Officers’ Association said that the job as Oakland police chief is the most difficult chief’s job in the nation. Armstrong told the Police Commission during his job interviews several months ago that he is “prepared to immediately begin the work of achieving full compliance with the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA),” and “to make the cultural change needed to increase trust within our community through fair and unbiased treatment of all people.”. “In Oakland, you have to earn the trust of every key stakeholder,” Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf said. When the Department has a critical incident involving our officers, we believe in transparency with our community, and we make efforts to share information with our community in a timely manner. Sources with the city told KPIX that some of the issues with Kirkpatrick stemmed from failing to uphold reforms as the department runs under federal oversight, which began after a lawsuit over police misconduct in 2000. Schaaf said she’ll be searching nationwide for a new chief. The men and women of the Department helped facilitate and manage the many inspiring and peaceful protests throughout … Tonight, the commissioners exercised their power. We believe all Oakland residents deserve more in-depth reporting, perspectives, and information resources to help us all better enjoy, understand, and impact our beautiful city. Why has this Eastlake lot sat empty for years? “There have been a lot of improvements, but the disparities continue to exist and there are a series of issues that have just contributed to losing the confidence,” said police commission chair Regina Jackson. His wife, Drennon Lindsey, who also works at OPD and applied for the job of police chief, was promoted yesterday by Schaaf and City Administrator Ed Reiskin to the rank of deputy chief. Bay City News contributed to this report, By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The job of Oakland police chief is one of the most demanding in law enforcement. The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is a law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Oakland, California, United States.As of June 2020, the department employed 792 sworn officers and 371 civilian employees. Schaaf said she’d spoken with the federal monitor about the termination and he didn’t object. On Thursday, February 20, 2020, the Oakland Police Commission voted to request that Mayor Libby Schaaf join the Commission in terminating Chief Anne Kirkpatrick from her position as Chief of Police. Susan Manheimer, the retired chief of the San Mateo Police Department, served 10 months are Oakland’s interim chief. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick is seen in a 2019 photo. Help us learn more about you and why you read The Oaklandside ➔, We’re journalists for Oakland. Police Commission Chair Regina Jackson called Armstrong “Oakland’s native son.”, “Moving forward, everything that we do will be in partnership with our community. Chief Manheimer received a Presidential appointment to the Office of Violence Against Women to work on the reauthorization of the VAWA Act in Congress. In addition to operating the department, which has around 1,100 employees, including about 730 officers, the chief reports to two bosses: the mayor and Police Commission. Kirkpatrick is entitled to one year’s pay of about $270,000, if she agrees to be released from her duty as police chief. He has reported on gun violence for The Guardian, and was an enterprise reporter for the East Bay Express. “I knew then at the age of 13 that whatever I decided to do would center around safety in the city of Oakland,” Armstrong said. The Department must be a model of constitutional policing and justice, and the Commission is committed to working with the Mayor to find the right next leader.”. Though the City Council approved millions in budget cuts last June, Oakland continues to face a large financial shortfall, and unbudgeted police overtime accounts for most of that gap.. Still, the mayor said she has no regrets hiring Kirkpatrick in the first place. The time for change is here. The Chief of the Oakland Police Department is an office held by the executive head and highest-ranking officer of the Oakland Police Department.The chief was first established in 1853. © Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Armstrong is a resident of Oakland. Since 2010, Armstrong has held leadership positions with the Oakland Black Officers Association, a group that advocates for Black officers and helps build police-community relations. Donelan said officers are disappointed that Kirkpatrick was fired but they are ready to work with her replacement. “As we reimagine policing in the city of Oakland let’s always put the safety of our community first.”. The Oakland Police Department has been struggling with a rise in violent street crime over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayor and The Police Commission released the following statements: From Mayor Libby Schaaf: “The Police Commission is the community’s voice in our system of checks and balances, and I respect its authority and its role. Date Posted: June 11th, 2020 @ 11:42 AM Last Updated: June 11th, 2020 @ 11:59 AM. Getting vaccinated: who’s next in line, how to get notified, where to go, reduce the racially disproportionate impact of stops and searches, Hear from the four finalists hoping to become Oakland's next police chief, Mayor and City Council president collide over policing, with focus on crime in Chinatown, Want to ‘dismantle mechanisms of discrimination’? We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The job of Oakland police chief is one of the most demanding in law enforcement. On Monday, Feb. 8, LeRonne Armstrong was sworn in as Oakland’s new chief of police. Preceding Kirkpatrick’s firing, OPD slid backward on reforms required under the federal settlement agreement. The position has remained open since Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf fired Chief Anne Kirkpatrick last February.Kirkpatrick was ousted after the Police Commission lost faith in her leadership and voted to recommend her … Oakland's first female police chief was unceremoniously ousted Thursday night by a commission made up of a group of civilians. One-On-One With Oakland's New Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong In 2016, Oakland voters created the strongest and most independent Police Commission in America. “I am honored to lead the men and women of the Oakland Police Department,” Armstrong said at the ceremony. – The Oakland Police Department is pleased to announce, that our community members can now use Text-to-911. Please reload the page and try again. In a report that will be heard at a meeting of the City Council’s Finance and Management Committee next Monday, interim Finance Director Margaret O’Brien wrote that Oakland … Under her leadership, Oakland saw one of its lowest periods of gun violence and officer-involved shootings, as well as new anti-racial profiling policies that significantly reduced discretionary stops of African Americans. The association’s president Barry Donelan said in a statement that Kirkpatrick was making progress “bringing stability to OPD.”, But, he said, “fighting for Oakland’s residents and police officers alike does not engender you to Oakland’s unelected police commissioners and our mayor.”. Starting, December 31, 2020, Text-to-911 will be an additional safe and reliable resource for residents to contact the Oakland Police Department in an emergency. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Before joining The Oaklandside as News Editor, Darwin BondGraham worked with The Appeal, where he was an investigative reporter covering police and prosecutorial misconduct. During his 22-year OPD career, he’s worked as a patrol officer and sergeant, as a robbery and burglary investigator, and supervisor of OPD’s gang intelligence task force, among other roles. As Mayor, it is my duty to determine when the trust between The Police Commission and the Police Chief has become irrevocably lost and prevents Oakland from moving forward. ©2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Here’s the roster of police chief candidates: Leronne Armstrong is currently deputy chief at OPD. Early last month, interim chief Susan Manheimer said the city recorded 102 murders over the … He was promoted to deputy chief in 2017. Dear Oakland Community, Over the past two weeks, the Oakland Police Department joined our community in outrage over George Floyd’s murder. 19 August 2020 / SF News / Jay Barmann Fired Oakland Police Chief Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Citing Corruption Allegations Against Police Commission The chief manages and oversees the planning, development and implementation of all law enforcement and crime prevention programs for the City. The termination is without cause, which means the commission isn’t obligated to give a reason for ousting chief Kirkpatrick. OAKLAND (BCN) — Mayor Libby Schaaf on Friday tapped a 22-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department to be the agency's new chief. Kirkpatrick joined the police department as chief in 2017. Oakland City Hall officials on Monday confirmed former San Mateo Police Department Chief Susan Manheimer will be the department's new interim chief. During an emotional ceremony outside McClymonds High School, Armstrong told an audience of city leaders, including Mayor Libby Schaaf, members of the City Council, and Police Commission, that he is “forever grateful” for being given the chance. Whoops! Oakland News Now Version of 2020 Oakland Police Chief Candidates Forum Livestream | Oakland News Now Today Blog - SF Bay Area Daily By Zennie62Media OAKLAND (CBS SF) — Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf has selected Susan Manheimer, former San Mateo police chief and longtime Bay Area police veteran, as the new chief of the Oakland Police Department, a city hall official confirmed to KPIX on Monday. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 22-year veteran of the Oakland’s police department and native of the San Francisco Bay city has become its new police chief. The Oakland Police Department’s new chief spoke exclusively with NBC Bay Area about the violence against Asian seniors, a spike in homicides, sideshows and how he plans to … It starts with me,” said Armstrong after being sworn in by Schaaf. OAKLAND (CBS SF) – Mayor Libby Schaaf announced Friday that Deputy Chief LeRonne Armstrong, an Oakland native and 20-year veteran of the department, will become the Oakland’s next Chief of Police. LeRonne Armstrong was sworn in Monday and vowed to work together with the community to make the city safer and regain the … Jackson said in a news conference shortly after the vote that they had lost confidence in Kirkpatrick over time. City officials voted to terminate her contract as chief on Feb. 21, 2020. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2017. “But I must respect the authority and role of our independent police commission.”. The mayor agreed with the commission’s decision but also gave Kirkpatrick credit for reducing gun violence, officer-involved shootings and discretionary stops of African-Americans. Oakland, CA. Although OPD has previously had four Black police chiefs, Armstrong is the first Black chief who was born and raised in Oakland. Videos: Large Crowd Gathers For Moving Day Of San Francisco Victorian Home, Family: Remains Found In Desert Identified As Missing Walnut Creek Woman, Stolen California EDD Unemployment Benefits Used To Fund Assault Weapons Purchases; 2 Arrested, Livermore Cites Bike Repairman for Working Out of His Garage; Orders Business To Be Shut Down, Update: Suspect Arrested in Antioch First Responders Drive-By Shooting Charged With Discovery Bay Man's Murder, Family Alleges Abuse Of Grandmother At North Bay Nursing Facility, NTSB: Inspection Mistakes Caused Engine Failure On 2018 SFO-Hawaii Flight, 2 Santa Clara County Jail Nurses Arrested For Stealing Prescription Drugs, CHP Contra Costa County Freeway Speeding Crackdown Nets 331 Tickets, Mobile Vaccination Clinic Comes To Hayward, Hosts Visit By Gov. The Commission’s vote reflects our desire to see the City of Oakland move ahead under new leadership. I remain grateful to Chief Kirkpatrick for coming to serve Oakland in the wake of a shameful episode in the department’s history and bringing a steady leadership that stabilized the department. Armstrong joined OPD as a patrol officer in 1999, a tumultuous time for the department. “I didn’t want any other family to experience what I had experienced.”. Armstrong rose to prominence in OPD starting around 2014 when he helped lead the department’s work analyzing police stop data and implementing policies to reduce the racially disproportionate impact of stops and searches. Last year, the federal monitor criticized the chief’s disciplinary decisions involving officers who shot and killed a homeless man. OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 5: Former Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan speaks as former Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick looks on during a news conference in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 5, 2020. He joined OPD in 1999 after four years working for the Alameda County Probation Department. She previously served as chief of police for the Portland Police Bureau, in Oregon.She was the first African American woman to head the bureau in Portland, and was appointed by mayor Ted Wheeler in 2017. Free Oakland news, written by Oaklanders, delivered straight to your inbox. He holds a doctorate in sociology from UC Santa Barbara and was the co-recipient of the George Polk Award for local reporting in 2017. “If this commission unanimously does not continue to have confidence in this chief, I believe that it is my duty to heed their request.”. On November 3, 2020, the Oakland Police Department was involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1400 block of 92nd Avenue. Darren Allison will serve as Acting Chief until an Interim Chief is appointed. Omar Sosa’s diaspora soul returns to Oakland, Ayodele Nzinga lifts from the bottom in her new book of poetry, Summer school in Oakland will include in-person classes, Alameda County food workers eligible for COVID-19 vaccine; Cheese Board now open on Sunday, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. In addition to operating the department, which has around 1,100 employees, including about 730 officers, the chief reports to two bosses: the mayor and Police Danielle Outlaw (born 1975) is an American law enforcement officer.She became Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department on February 10, 2020. The department is divided into 5 geographical divisions policing Oakland's 78 square miles and population of 420,000. The Commission looks forward to working with Mayor Schaaf to identify a Chief of Police who will build trust in the community and address racial and gender disparities that continue to exist in the Department and in our City. He grew up in Oakland and his ties to the city’s Black community are viewed by many as a strong qualification for the job. A 22-year OPD veteran, city leaders say Armstrong is a “native son” committed to the city he grew up in. Armstrong’s immediate predecessor, Anne Kirkpatrick, was fired last February by the Oakland Police Commission and Schaaf for no cause, and Kirkpatrick is currently suing the city alleging wrongful termination. ... 2020 at 3:41 pm. – The Oakland Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint on December 18, 2020, from 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM at an undisclosed location within Oakland. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Learn more. Raised by a single mother, Armstrong’s brother was shot and killed in 1985 in Oakland. The mayor’s office released the following statements from Schaaf and Oakland police commissioner Regina Jackson: On Thursday, February 20, 2020, the Oakland Police Commission voted to request that Mayor Libby Schaaf join the Commission in terminating Chief Anne Kirkpatrick from her position as Chief of Police. OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 5: Former Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick looks on during a news conference in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Mayor Schaaf agreed to exercise the provision, created by voter-approved Measure LL, to allow The Police Commission and the Mayor to jointly dismiss the Chief without cause. Oakland police veteran named police chief amid crime spike. OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told KTVU on Tuesday that she plans to announce a new police chief "literally within a number of days." I am grateful for Chief Kirkpatrick’s service to our city for the past three years.”, From Commission Chair Regina Jackson: “Since the Commission’s inception, the Commissioners, along with the rest of the citizens of the City of Oakland, observed the Oakland Police Department’s failure to increase compliance with the court-ordered reforms required under the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA). OAKLAND (KPIX) — The Oakland Police Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to fire police chief Anne Kirkpatrick three years after she took the job. Armstrong left Oakland to attend California State University Sacramento, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and also played basketball. Newsom, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. “She stood up and came to Oakland three years ago in the wake of a very shameful episode for our department,” Schaaf said.