5 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
Crime rate have gone up! These city officials that are in place to represent us has done nothing to make Oakland better! Car break ins everywhere glass everywhere! Phone snatches everyday! Robberies everywhere! Mentally unstable people getting let out and roaming the streets of Oakland everyday. Only thing I see changing in Oakland is all these expensive Oakland apartment complex popping up everywhere. Rent all $2,400 a month and up!!!! For a studio!
This legislation, which was intended to give the Commission greater resources to do their job and be less dependent on the city administration, has been shifting - almost impossibly for any community member to follow - into proposals which will hobble the Commission and overturn important sections of Measure LL which was supported overwhelmingly by 83% of voters. Until the community has had a chance to consider all aspects of this legislation - in an atmosphere that isn't being actively poisoned by the Mayor and clouded with disinformation - no legislative initiative should move forward. The Commission needs fully independent staff, they need power to discipline officers for misconduct as was proven conclusively in the Joshua Pawlik shooting case (even if CPRA and OPD agree), and the CPRA needs full access to OPD records for effective and timely independent investigations. Beyond that, leave Measure LL as it stands. Don't bend to political interference or false narratives.
There are some good things suggested for adoption. It is important the community can have positive impact on the department. However, there are details in this amending of powers that are detrimental. Any body, especially if given more power, can abuse it and cause more damage than help. This commission has already made costly mistakes and they cannot continue without professional help. The community has always asked for more people of color and community members to be in the department, this proposed ordinance prohibits those police/city employees to bring their experience and knowledge in the commission to improve the department and our City. PLEASE DO NOT PASS WITHOUT FIXING IT.
-Oakland born and raised resident.
The commissioners have misused their powers, brought shame to the City, and done nothing to reduce crime on the streets. The commission fired the chief without cause and have not stated why they fired her; this is not democracy. One commissioner in particular, Ms. Harris, attempted to obtain privileged treatment for an infraction, aggressively degrades the level of discourse at public meetings, garners negative publicity for her outrageous behavior, and refuses to indicate any change of course. Another commissioner, Mr. Dorado, spoke in defense of Ms. Harris with thuggish talk of "we have her back." No expansion of commission functions is appropriate at this time. --Charles Pine
Crime rate have gone up! These city officials that are in place to represent us has done nothing to make Oakland better! Car break ins everywhere glass everywhere! Phone snatches everyday! Robberies everywhere! Mentally unstable people getting let out and roaming the streets of Oakland everyday. Only thing I see changing in Oakland is all these expensive Oakland apartment complex popping up everywhere. Rent all $2,400 a month and up!!!! For a studio!
This legislation, which was intended to give the Commission greater resources to do their job and be less dependent on the city administration, has been shifting - almost impossibly for any community member to follow - into proposals which will hobble the Commission and overturn important sections of Measure LL which was supported overwhelmingly by 83% of voters. Until the community has had a chance to consider all aspects of this legislation - in an atmosphere that isn't being actively poisoned by the Mayor and clouded with disinformation - no legislative initiative should move forward. The Commission needs fully independent staff, they need power to discipline officers for misconduct as was proven conclusively in the Joshua Pawlik shooting case (even if CPRA and OPD agree), and the CPRA needs full access to OPD records for effective and timely independent investigations. Beyond that, leave Measure LL as it stands. Don't bend to political interference or false narratives.
There are some good things suggested for adoption. It is important the community can have positive impact on the department. However, there are details in this amending of powers that are detrimental. Any body, especially if given more power, can abuse it and cause more damage than help. This commission has already made costly mistakes and they cannot continue without professional help. The community has always asked for more people of color and community members to be in the department, this proposed ordinance prohibits those police/city employees to bring their experience and knowledge in the commission to improve the department and our City. PLEASE DO NOT PASS WITHOUT FIXING IT.
-Oakland born and raised resident.
I support the changes outlined in the staff memo of 5/11. They should be used to modify the proposal.
The commissioners have misused their powers, brought shame to the City, and done nothing to reduce crime on the streets. The commission fired the chief without cause and have not stated why they fired her; this is not democracy. One commissioner in particular, Ms. Harris, attempted to obtain privileged treatment for an infraction, aggressively degrades the level of discourse at public meetings, garners negative publicity for her outrageous behavior, and refuses to indicate any change of course. Another commissioner, Mr. Dorado, spoke in defense of Ms. Harris with thuggish talk of "we have her back." No expansion of commission functions is appropriate at this time. --Charles Pine