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Agenda Item
6 26-0539 Subject: Status Of Implementing Council Policy Directives
From: Office Of The City Administrator
Recommendation: Receive An Informational Report From The City Administrator On The Status Of Implementing Policy Directives Passed By The City Council
This Council needs to take action on Police civilianization and the vacancy crisis. Civilian positions are cheaper and will allow officers to do work during their regular shifts rather than overtime. There are at least 38 positions whose duties have been previously identified to be done by non-sworn City workers.
Transfer of Internal Affairs positions to the Community Police Review Agency is particularly important because it shows that OPD is committed to transparency and building trust, which Oakland voters have repeatedly demonstrated is a priority. City Human Resources must be fully staffed so that it can fill vacant positions, including those in the Community Police Review Agency. Council must continue to demand accountability from Human Resources for its failure to hire staff. There are also outstanding City Auditor recommendations for specific changes to the Oakland Police Officer Association’s contract.
Civilianizing positions will help Oakland balance the budget by saving OPD costs. OPD logged 400,000 hours of overtime last year, despite having the best staffing levels of any City union. This cost taxpayers $55 million. Every dollar that OPD saves is a dollar that can be spent on public services. The time is now for the City Council to ensure these changes are included in the OPOA MOU.
Oaklanders deserve clean and safe streets, parks and libraries, and funding for proven community policing programs like Operation Ceasefire. Fix this vacancy crisis NOW!
This Council needs to take action on Police civilianization and the vacancy crisis. Civilian positions are cheaper and will allow officers to do work during their regular shifts rather than overtime. There are at least 38 positions whose duties have been previously identified to be done by non-sworn City workers.
Transfer of Internal Affairs positions to the Community Police Review Agency is particularly important because it shows that OPD is committed to transparency and building trust, which Oakland voters have repeatedly demonstrated is a priority. City Human Resources must be fully staffed so that it can fill vacant positions, including those in the Community Police Review Agency. Council must continue to demand accountability from Human Resources for its failure to hire staff. There are also outstanding City Auditor recommendations for specific changes to the Oakland Police Officer Association’s contract.
Civilianizing positions will help Oakland balance the budget by saving OPD costs. OPD logged 400,000 hours of overtime last year, despite having the best staffing levels of any City union. This cost taxpayers $55 million. Every dollar that OPD saves is a dollar that can be spent on public services. The time is now for the City Council to ensure these changes are included in the OPOA MOU.
Oaklanders deserve clean and safe streets, parks and libraries, and funding for proven community policing programs like Operation Ceasefire. Fix this vacancy crisis NOW!