City Council accused of undermining Police Commission in letter drafted for federal monitor

Two members of the Oakland Police Commission have drafted a scathing letter to the federal court, saying the City Council is threatening the city’s progress toward ending two decades of federal oversight of the Police Department.

The letter is included in the agenda packet for the commission’s Thursday night meeting, during which commissioners will decide whether to send it to the federal monitor overseeing Oakland’s police reforms.

The letter, which is not addressed or dated, is signed by Commission Chair Ricardo Garcia-Acosta and alternate Omar Farmer. It accuses the City Council of undermining civilian oversight by declining to reappoint Garcia-Acosta and Farmer,  a move they say could stall the search for a new police chief and deepen the department’s budget crisis. 

“The City’s failure to vociferously defend its designated independent police oversight governing body will undermine the continued success of the current Commission and risk decreased compliance with the (negotiated settlement agreement) or a short-lived exit from the agreement,” the commissioners wrote. 

The conflict comes as Oakland seeks to finally exit its federal reform agreement, which was created in 2003 after the “Riders” police brutality scandal. A jury acquitted three of the four officers known as the “Riders,” who were accused of beating suspects and planting evidence. The fourth fled and remains a fugitive. Subsequently, more than 100 plaintiffs signed on to a lawsuit against the city, which resulted in a $10.9 million payout and a negotiated settlement agreement in which the city promised to tackle 51 points of reform, overseen by a federal court monitor. 

The decision comes less than a month after the City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 21 to reject the reappointments of both commissioners for the second time. The decision has sparked tension among city officials and raised questions about whether Oakland remains committed to independent police oversight.

Few applicants for the job

Four of the seven police commissioners and an alternate are chosen by a selection panel, which twice voted unanimously to reappoint Garcia-Acosta and Farmer after three rounds of public interviews.

To question the recommendations without basis “is to disrespect the work of the members on the selection panel,” Rickisha Herron, the panel’s chair, said during the Oct. 21 council meeting.

The decision not to reappoint came after the council received a letter from Oakland resident Rajni Mandal, who raised concerns about Farmer’s qualifications and behavior as a commissioner. The commission’s attorney, Katina Ancar, replied with a letter obtained by The Oaklandside, which called Mandal’s charges “unfounded.”  

Some council members have said they had concerns about how the selection process. 

“This round of recruitment drew only seven applicants — compared to roughly 150 in prior cycles,” Councilmember Rowena Brown said in an Instagram post. “That raises real concerns about outreach, representation, and transparency in the process.”

Farmer disagreed, telling Oakland North that fewer applicants are expected when incumbents seek reappointment.

“When there are only so many spots, and so many incumbents also applying, typically, those are the times when you get less applicants,” he said. 

Councilmember Ken Houston took issue with the commissioners themselves.

“The Oakland City Council did the right thing by rejecting these two volunteer appointments!” Houston wrote in a Facebook post. “I could not believe my eyes with all the subtle, passive-aggressive disrespect to our elected officials, Councilmembers and staff. Now I personally see what the Oakland Police Department had to endure for all these years!”

Both commissioners dispute how their records have been characterized, writing in the draft letter that the City Council, in failing to approve the reappointments, “has gone far in validating the anti-Commission climate,” and rejected the slate “under the guise of concern about recruitment and qualifications.”

Hampering search for new chief

The Oakland Police Commission plays a key role in hiring the city’s next police chief. A search is underway to replace Chief Floyd Mitchell, who announced his resignation last month and will leave the department on Dec. 5. That search could be hampered if the council fails to approve appointments to the oversight body.

For now, both Garcia-Acosta and Farmer continue to serve in a “holdover” capacity until the selection panel and City Council can agree on new appointments. The commission needs at least five of its seven members present to reach a quorum for each meeting.

“This slate of these two excellent commissioners is being attacked on such flimsy grounds,” said Commissioner Wilson Riles. “It just makes no sense when the Oakland Police Commission is outstanding in comparison to all other civilian police oversight bodies.” 

Farmer also confirmed that credible threats have been made to the commission’s physical safety, though he did not specify to whom. The letter said those threats have resulted in “an increased law-enforcement presence at the safety meetings.” 

The commissioners argue the lack of political and public support could also deter future volunteers and weaken the city’s civilian oversight structure.

“Without support from all City officials that demonstrates a commitment to independent civilian oversight that can quell anti-Commission harassment, the City could face a challenge in recruiting and maintaining volunteer commissioners,” the letter stated. 

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