Police
A new wave of activists focused on life after prison set a national agenda for reform.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf announced this week that 12 Oakland police officers will be disciplined for their involvement in a wide-ranging sex scandal. But some Oakland residents are saying Schaaf’s response doesn’t go far enough.
A new measure will ask Oakland voters in November if they want to create a new police-oversight commission. But some community activists—and some members of city council—wanted to see a different kind of commission.
The City of Oakland is looking to hire a new police chief. During the first of 10 community meetings, Oakland youth said they want someone who is accountable, trustworthy and approachable. The next meeting is tonight at 6pm.
Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker has decided to double down in her efforts to secure economic and social justice for Oakland residents by doubling the divisions in her office.
Cephus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson got the call in the afternoon. “You better get your butt down here,” Patrisse Cullors told him. She was standing on a corner of Oakland’s Frank Ogawa Plaza with five activists from London, each of whom had lost a family member to police violence. They were jetlagged and wearing matching T-shirts. “You’re supposed to be here,” Cullors said. A self-possessed woman with short, dreaded hair, Cullors is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. Johnson is the…
At a meeting of the Oakland City Council’s public safety committee Tuesday night, Oakland Police Chief Sean Whent pointed to a “very significant” reduction in uses of force by police. He said new policies, training and body cameras all contributed to the reduction.
The Oakland City Council voted 5-1, with two abstentions, to approve a grant tied to hiring 15 new police officers after protesters disrupted the meeting, calling for funding for housing instead of more law enforcement.
On Tuesday, Alameda County became the first county in California to implement new regulations on controversial spying devices used by police.