9 20-0140 Subject: Ballot Measure Amending Powers Of The Police Commission
From: Council President Kaplan And Pro Tem Kalb
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Proposing To Amend City Charter Section 604 To Strengthen The Independence Of The Oakland Police Commission, Directing The City Administrator To Give Written Notice To Employee Organizations That May Be Affected, And Directing The City Administrator To Meet And Confer, As Appropriate Subject To Further Council Instruction
I urge the Council to listen to the people of Oakland who have been demonstrating for justice and accountability these past two weeks. Support the Commission's version of this proposal. We need to strengthen the Commission's authority and autonomy so they can do the job the people of Oakland intended for them to do when we overwhelmingly voted to create the Commission back in 2016. Please support this proposal without any amendments that would weaken the Commission's ability to provide civilian oversight over OPD. Now is the time for action, and OPD clearly can't be trusted to police themselves, as we've seen time and time again. Last night I listened to Deputy Chief Armstrong lie about OPD's use of munitions against peaceful protesters on June 1, and then insist that the Commission wait for OPD's own investigation before passing judgment. This is completely unacceptable. We need real accountability for Oakland police, and we need it now.
I have lived in District 1 my entire life.
I urge you to vote for the version proposed by the Police Commission itself.
As a young Oaklander, as a citizen, my confidence in the Administration's ability to lead on police accountability is nearly spent. The Council must step in and begin to show good faith by giving the Commission all the powers it has asked for. This is the bare minimum of what is needed to repair the trust between City Hall and Oakland.
This particular moment of protests and demonstrations against police violence could not better underscore the need for citizen oversight and input in policing decision if we are to have a police department. I ask the council approve the ballot measure advanced by the Coalition for Police Accountability and push for the strongest oversight measures and powers including independent counsel to the Police Commission, ability to propose policy changes that must be considered by this governing body, and adequate powers to investigate officers including access to all evidence and materials necessary for the commission and its counsel to meaningfully perform their work.
All councilmembers must vote unanimously for the Police Commission/Coalition for Police Accountability version of the Measure LL ballot fixes, the only version that supports Black Lives Matter with an independent Police Commission. We will not accept a watered-down version.
I am writing to support the amendments presented by the Coalition for Police Accountability. The necessity for an independent Police Commission could not be more clear. Thank you. I am a resident of District 1.
I'm writing as an Oakland resident to urge you to strengthen the independence and authority of the police commission; to preclude current or former officers from serving on the commission; to make it easier to remove officers for misconduct; to provide greater oversight and accountability of OPD; to require additional training on de-escalation, implicit bias, and use of force; to require random drug testing of police officers and mandatory testing after all incidents of use of force; to end the use of tear gas and flash bang grenades; to enforce a prohibition on the use of force against peaceful protesters; to demilitarize OPD; to require that all police misconduct settlements be paid out of current or future police budgets even if that means cuts to police pensions, and not the general fund; and to transfer funds from the police toward under-funded social services, mental health services, and homeless services programs.
As a resident of District 5, the only amendment I support is the draft provided by the Coalition for Police Accountability & the Police Commission.
I am greatly appreciative of the work that Councilman Gallo and the city did to bring this Police Commission to life.
Mayor Schaaf has expressed her opposition to the proposed changes to the commission, arguing that it would give the Commission near unlimited control over local law enforcement and public safety. I don't believe that to be true. However, let me be clear: I trust the commission & the citizens far more than the Mayor or OPD after what's transpired these past 2 weeks.
Last night, the citizens spoke to the commission about the continued atrocities the police have committed against Oakland residents. Please give us the tools to care for our own community. The OPD has publicly failed us and the federal government for 17 years. Please work with the Police Commission, the citizens.
The main changes from current law that the Coalition and the Police Commission are proposing are as follows:
The Commission can hire its own attorneys who will report to it and not the City Attorney.
The Commission will be able to hire an Inspector General who will audit the police department and be able to recommend policy changes to the Commission.
The Commission will have access to all police department records and files.
The Commission will be able to impose discipline in cases where the investigations have not been completed in time or when required body camera footage has not been a component of the investigation.
Without these changes the proposed legislation will effectively remove the Commission's truly independent oversight and its authority to discipline and fire officers who commit homicide and abuse - the very reason that Measure LL to create the Police Commission was passed by over 78% of Oakland voters. Listen to us! We voted you in to serve ALL city residents.
The entire country is crying out for accountable and equitable policing, but the abuses and disparities persist.
The Coalition for Police Accountability - which we are members of through Faith In Action East Bay - has partnered with the Police Commission to create a joint Charter amendment that will allow the Commission to be truly effective in ensuring that the Oakland Police Department is firmly and permanently dedicated to constitutional policing.
We ask that you adopt Commission’s draft AS PRESENTED TO YOU as your own and agree to put it before the voters on the November ballot. And do not put any emergency police powers to suspend their General Orders in the Charter - that becomes irrevocable and is subject to abuse.
Thank you for valuing process of public input that has resulted in the creation of this proposal - may your actions reflect that understanding.
Plymouth United Church of Christ Justice & Witness
Ministry Co-Chairs,
My name is David Peters, I live in District 3 at 855 Brockhurst. The ONLY version I support is the proposal from out Beloved Community - The version presented by the Coalition on Police Accountability. Please pass this amendment as presented and represent the voice of Oakiand's citizens. #:LoveLife
The version presented by the Coalition on Police Accountability is the only version that preserves the independence of the Police Commission, and it should thus be passed without amendment. Without independence, the Police Commission cannot meaningfully do the work they've been asked to do. The Oakland Police Department, if it is to continue to exist at all, must have genuinely independent oversight.
Be courageous, not frightened. Support the version put forward by the Coalition on Police Accountability and Police Commission. Don't weaken it! We need real accountability, not poison pills and recipes for future powerlessness
This is a great first step, but we must remember it's just that-- the first step. The ultimate goal should be defund the police by 50% and redistribute that money towards
**Education-- providing free/lowcost daycare, before/after school care, free/reduced meals, and an educational goal to teach Black American history from K-12. We will not end white supremacy until we are able to teach our children about it
** Health-- Physical and mental health need to be a priority now. It was disgraceful how fast the OPD was able to mobilize and deploy military tactics against Oakland residents, but we have been struggling for months trying to get COVID testing up and running.
**Social Services-- no one in Oakland should struggle to get the help they need, whether it's for domestic/physical/sexual abuse, drug addiction, or to leave a gang. We require a robust social service safety net to help uplift people, not criminalize their suffering.
We must we move towards a budgeting plan that defunds OPD, and puts funding into the community.
In the interim, I urge you to support a strong independent community oversight police commission. Please vote in favor of this without any additional amendments, as put forward by the Coalition on Police Accountability. The police must be held accountable, and stronger community oversight free of any affiliation with the police is required.
The Police Commission is a fantastic idea whose full potential has not been realized yet. Now is a good time to reflect on what has (and hasn’t) been accomplished, learn from it, and make adjustments. I believe the Commission would benefit from a more solid financial footing and increased headcount, so I support putting up for vote the charter amendment as proposed by the Coalition for Police Accountability.
Be courageous, not frightened. Support the version put forward by the Coalition on Police Accountability and Police Commission. Don't weaken it! We need real accountability, not poison pills and recipes for future powerlessness. Thank you, Naomi Schiff District 3.
I urge the Council to listen to the people of Oakland who have been demonstrating for justice and accountability these past two weeks. Support the Commission's version of this proposal. We need to strengthen the Commission's authority and autonomy so they can do the job the people of Oakland intended for them to do when we overwhelmingly voted to create the Commission back in 2016. Please support this proposal without any amendments that would weaken the Commission's ability to provide civilian oversight over OPD. Now is the time for action, and OPD clearly can't be trusted to police themselves, as we've seen time and time again. Last night I listened to Deputy Chief Armstrong lie about OPD's use of munitions against peaceful protesters on June 1, and then insist that the Commission wait for OPD's own investigation before passing judgment. This is completely unacceptable. We need real accountability for Oakland police, and we need it now.
I have lived in District 1 my entire life.
I urge you to vote for the version proposed by the Police Commission itself.
As a young Oaklander, as a citizen, my confidence in the Administration's ability to lead on police accountability is nearly spent. The Council must step in and begin to show good faith by giving the Commission all the powers it has asked for. This is the bare minimum of what is needed to repair the trust between City Hall and Oakland.
This particular moment of protests and demonstrations against police violence could not better underscore the need for citizen oversight and input in policing decision if we are to have a police department. I ask the council approve the ballot measure advanced by the Coalition for Police Accountability and push for the strongest oversight measures and powers including independent counsel to the Police Commission, ability to propose policy changes that must be considered by this governing body, and adequate powers to investigate officers including access to all evidence and materials necessary for the commission and its counsel to meaningfully perform their work.
All councilmembers must vote unanimously for the Police Commission/Coalition for Police Accountability version of the Measure LL ballot fixes, the only version that supports Black Lives Matter with an independent Police Commission. We will not accept a watered-down version.
Oakland needs an independent Police commision.
I am writing to support the amendments presented by the Coalition for Police Accountability. The necessity for an independent Police Commission could not be more clear. Thank you. I am a resident of District 1.
Oakland needs a strong, independent Police Commission. Support this resolution.
I'm writing as an Oakland resident to urge you to strengthen the independence and authority of the police commission; to preclude current or former officers from serving on the commission; to make it easier to remove officers for misconduct; to provide greater oversight and accountability of OPD; to require additional training on de-escalation, implicit bias, and use of force; to require random drug testing of police officers and mandatory testing after all incidents of use of force; to end the use of tear gas and flash bang grenades; to enforce a prohibition on the use of force against peaceful protesters; to demilitarize OPD; to require that all police misconduct settlements be paid out of current or future police budgets even if that means cuts to police pensions, and not the general fund; and to transfer funds from the police toward under-funded social services, mental health services, and homeless services programs.
ADDRESS THE DEMANDS TO DEFUND. What does this look like, how is Oakland City Council going to show that Black lives matter. Reduce police funding now.
As a resident of District 5, the only amendment I support is the draft provided by the Coalition for Police Accountability & the Police Commission.
I am greatly appreciative of the work that Councilman Gallo and the city did to bring this Police Commission to life.
Mayor Schaaf has expressed her opposition to the proposed changes to the commission, arguing that it would give the Commission near unlimited control over local law enforcement and public safety. I don't believe that to be true. However, let me be clear: I trust the commission & the citizens far more than the Mayor or OPD after what's transpired these past 2 weeks.
Last night, the citizens spoke to the commission about the continued atrocities the police have committed against Oakland residents. Please give us the tools to care for our own community. The OPD has publicly failed us and the federal government for 17 years. Please work with the Police Commission, the citizens.
Give us, the community, a chance to lead.
The main changes from current law that the Coalition and the Police Commission are proposing are as follows:
The Commission can hire its own attorneys who will report to it and not the City Attorney.
The Commission will be able to hire an Inspector General who will audit the police department and be able to recommend policy changes to the Commission.
The Commission will have access to all police department records and files.
The Commission will be able to impose discipline in cases where the investigations have not been completed in time or when required body camera footage has not been a component of the investigation.
Without these changes the proposed legislation will effectively remove the Commission's truly independent oversight and its authority to discipline and fire officers who commit homicide and abuse - the very reason that Measure LL to create the Police Commission was passed by over 78% of Oakland voters. Listen to us! We voted you in to serve ALL city residents.
The entire country is crying out for accountable and equitable policing, but the abuses and disparities persist.
The Coalition for Police Accountability - which we are members of through Faith In Action East Bay - has partnered with the Police Commission to create a joint Charter amendment that will allow the Commission to be truly effective in ensuring that the Oakland Police Department is firmly and permanently dedicated to constitutional policing.
We ask that you adopt Commission’s draft AS PRESENTED TO YOU as your own and agree to put it before the voters on the November ballot. And do not put any emergency police powers to suspend their General Orders in the Charter - that becomes irrevocable and is subject to abuse.
Thank you for valuing process of public input that has resulted in the creation of this proposal - may your actions reflect that understanding.
Plymouth United Church of Christ Justice & Witness
Ministry Co-Chairs,
Carolyn Ellison
Bruce Schmiechen
My name is David Peters, I live in District 3 at 855 Brockhurst. The ONLY version I support is the proposal from out Beloved Community - The version presented by the Coalition on Police Accountability. Please pass this amendment as presented and represent the voice of Oakiand's citizens. #:LoveLife
The version presented by the Coalition on Police Accountability is the only version that preserves the independence of the Police Commission, and it should thus be passed without amendment. Without independence, the Police Commission cannot meaningfully do the work they've been asked to do. The Oakland Police Department, if it is to continue to exist at all, must have genuinely independent oversight.
Be courageous, not frightened. Support the version put forward by the Coalition on Police Accountability and Police Commission. Don't weaken it! We need real accountability, not poison pills and recipes for future powerlessness
This is a great first step, but we must remember it's just that-- the first step. The ultimate goal should be defund the police by 50% and redistribute that money towards
**Education-- providing free/lowcost daycare, before/after school care, free/reduced meals, and an educational goal to teach Black American history from K-12. We will not end white supremacy until we are able to teach our children about it
** Health-- Physical and mental health need to be a priority now. It was disgraceful how fast the OPD was able to mobilize and deploy military tactics against Oakland residents, but we have been struggling for months trying to get COVID testing up and running.
**Social Services-- no one in Oakland should struggle to get the help they need, whether it's for domestic/physical/sexual abuse, drug addiction, or to leave a gang. We require a robust social service safety net to help uplift people, not criminalize their suffering.
Accountability is needed and independent oversight could rebuild trust.
We must we move towards a budgeting plan that defunds OPD, and puts funding into the community.
In the interim, I urge you to support a strong independent community oversight police commission. Please vote in favor of this without any additional amendments, as put forward by the Coalition on Police Accountability. The police must be held accountable, and stronger community oversight free of any affiliation with the police is required.
The Police Commission is a fantastic idea whose full potential has not been realized yet. Now is a good time to reflect on what has (and hasn’t) been accomplished, learn from it, and make adjustments. I believe the Commission would benefit from a more solid financial footing and increased headcount, so I support putting up for vote the charter amendment as proposed by the Coalition for Police Accountability.
Be courageous, not frightened. Support the version put forward by the Coalition on Police Accountability and Police Commission. Don't weaken it! We need real accountability, not poison pills and recipes for future powerlessness. Thank you, Naomi Schiff District 3.