1 20-0140 Subject: Ballot Measure Amending Powers Of The Police Commission
From: Council President Kaplan And Pro Tem Kalb
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution On The City Council's Own Motion Submitting To The Voters For The November 3, 2020 Statewide General Election Proposed Amendments To City Charter Section 604 To Strengthen The Independence Of The Oakland Police Commission By Modifying The Powers, Duties, And Staffing Of The Oakland Police Commission And The Community Police Review Agency, And Creating An Office Of Inspector General; And Directing The City Clerk To Fix The Date For Submission Of Arguments And Provide For Notice And Publication, And To Take Any And All Other Actions Necessary Under Law To Prepare For And Conduct The November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election [TITLE CHANGE]
My name is Leila Rad, I was born and raised in Oakland and am a member of District 7.
I oppose the proposed amendments that essentially allow the city's police chief to co-opt the authority of the Police Commission under "exigent circumstances." In the words of Cathy Leonard, "Doing our local part requires resisting the panicked impulse to give more authority to officials in the absence of public oversight and legal protections. We respectfully request that the entire proposed language in Section 604(b)5 be stricken before the measure is sent to the ballot."
I also want to express extreme disappointment in Council Members McElhaney, Gallo, Taylor, Reid, and Mayor Libby Schaaf for voting against additional cuts to OPD's budget Tuesday night. When our government continues to prop up a police state that is failing this community and approves a rapidly growing budget with zero accountability, we have no choice but to seek better leaders. We will remember this in November, and to Council Member Reid specifically, you have lost your district's faith and goodwill and best believe you will not be able to quietly propel your daughter into the seat you will vacate this fall as I promise you the public will make this upcoming election hard-fought and hold all candidates to a high standard in how they plan to defund and reform our police system.
I strongly support strengthening the Police Commission via ballot measure but strongly oppose the “exigent circumstances” language that has been proposed and is rightfully described as a “poison pill.” It is simply unjust and inappropriate to have such unbridled power etched into the City Charter that could allow unacceptable and dangerous police tactics. I support the views of the Oakland Police Commission, the Coalition for Police Accountability and the National Lawyers Guild-SF Bay Chapter on this legislation.
I oppose the "exigent circumstances" amendment to this legislation which would allow police to use choke holds and other unacceptable and dangerous tactics, while holding them not responsible for injuries and damages. I support the letters of the Coalition for Police Accountability and the National Lawyers Guild-SF Bay Chapter on this legislation.
We absolutely need to strengthen the Police Commission. The City Administrator prevented the Commission from being able to fully execute their mandate. That said the section related to exigent circumstances is unacceptable. We have the Commission because Oakland residents recognized that the years and years of Federal oversight was not effecting adequate change. We cannot give that level of power to the Police Chief when multiple chiefs have demonstrated an unwillingness to reign in their officers. I heard the current Chief essentially say she could not tell her officers to stop choking people without having an official policy. What kind of judgement does that demonstrate? Certainly not the kind of judgement to determine exigent circumstances. Keep the portions that strengthen the Commission, eliminate the part that would allow for the possibility of martial law.
I support strengthening the Police Commission's powers but strongly oppose the "poison pill" which would give OPD more discretion in responding to "exigent circumstances". Such discretion is likely to mean use of tear gas and other abusive measures in the name of "public safety", with the knowledge that they've been given free rein to do it. Please remove this language.
Good Day Oakland City Council, Our family have been Oakland residents in District 7 for twenty-three years. We, and many other Oakland citizens are opposed to the phrase exigent circumstances as it relates to the measure regarding the Coalition for Police
Accountability. This language and / or condition relegates the coalition to a non-entity. It completely disregards both the spirit and the letter of the proposed measure. Our best way forward is to remove this condition and move forward with a true watch dog commission.
I support the Anti-Police Terror Project’s demand to defund the Oakland police by 50% starting with Councilmember Bas’ proposal to defund a portion of the police budget today. I, along with the East Bay DSA, believe this change is fundamental. Our 1,500 members are engaged and ready for the November election. Thank you.
My name is Leila Rad, I was born and raised in Oakland and am a member of District 7.
I oppose the proposed amendments that essentially allow the city's police chief to co-opt the authority of the Police Commission under "exigent circumstances." In the words of Cathy Leonard, "Doing our local part requires resisting the panicked impulse to give more authority to officials in the absence of public oversight and legal protections. We respectfully request that the entire proposed language in Section 604(b)5 be stricken before the measure is sent to the ballot."
I also want to express extreme disappointment in Council Members McElhaney, Gallo, Taylor, Reid, and Mayor Libby Schaaf for voting against additional cuts to OPD's budget Tuesday night. When our government continues to prop up a police state that is failing this community and approves a rapidly growing budget with zero accountability, we have no choice but to seek better leaders. We will remember this in November, and to Council Member Reid specifically, you have lost your district's faith and goodwill and best believe you will not be able to quietly propel your daughter into the seat you will vacate this fall as I promise you the public will make this upcoming election hard-fought and hold all candidates to a high standard in how they plan to defund and reform our police system.
I strongly support strengthening the Police Commission via ballot measure but strongly oppose the “exigent circumstances” language that has been proposed and is rightfully described as a “poison pill.” It is simply unjust and inappropriate to have such unbridled power etched into the City Charter that could allow unacceptable and dangerous police tactics. I support the views of the Oakland Police Commission, the Coalition for Police Accountability and the National Lawyers Guild-SF Bay Chapter on this legislation.
I oppose the "exigent circumstances" amendment to this legislation which would allow police to use choke holds and other unacceptable and dangerous tactics, while holding them not responsible for injuries and damages. I support the letters of the Coalition for Police Accountability and the National Lawyers Guild-SF Bay Chapter on this legislation.
We absolutely need to strengthen the Police Commission. The City Administrator prevented the Commission from being able to fully execute their mandate. That said the section related to exigent circumstances is unacceptable. We have the Commission because Oakland residents recognized that the years and years of Federal oversight was not effecting adequate change. We cannot give that level of power to the Police Chief when multiple chiefs have demonstrated an unwillingness to reign in their officers. I heard the current Chief essentially say she could not tell her officers to stop choking people without having an official policy. What kind of judgement does that demonstrate? Certainly not the kind of judgement to determine exigent circumstances. Keep the portions that strengthen the Commission, eliminate the part that would allow for the possibility of martial law.
I support strengthening the Police Commission's powers but strongly oppose the "poison pill" which would give OPD more discretion in responding to "exigent circumstances". Such discretion is likely to mean use of tear gas and other abusive measures in the name of "public safety", with the knowledge that they've been given free rein to do it. Please remove this language.
Good Day Oakland City Council, Our family have been Oakland residents in District 7 for twenty-three years. We, and many other Oakland citizens are opposed to the phrase exigent circumstances as it relates to the measure regarding the Coalition for Police
Accountability. This language and / or condition relegates the coalition to a non-entity. It completely disregards both the spirit and the letter of the proposed measure. Our best way forward is to remove this condition and move forward with a true watch dog commission.
I support defund the Oakland police by 50% and shifting resources to mental health and community services departments.
I support the Anti-Police Terror Project’s demand to defund the Oakland police by 50% starting with Councilmember Bas’ proposal to defund a portion of the police budget today. I, along with the East Bay DSA, believe this change is fundamental. Our 1,500 members are engaged and ready for the November election. Thank you.
The police do not keep us safe, they keep us in line. They protect capital. We do not need them.