The ongoing debate surrounding public safety and policing in Oakland has reached a boiling point, resulting in significant turmoil within the Oakland Police Commission. A recent City Council meeting erupted into conflict when the council members unanimously rejected the reappointments of two Police Commission members, Ricardo Garcia-Acosta and Omar Farmer.
The backdrop of this dispute lies in a polarized community response to policing in Oakland. Many residents advocate for reforming the Oakland Police Department (OPD), which has been under federal oversight due to various scandals. These advocates emphasize the importance of maintaining a strong civilian oversight body, a position supported by 83% of voters who established the Oakland Police Commission through Measure LL in 2016.
Conversely, there is a growing faction of residents who contend that the OPD is hampered by excessive civilian oversight. They argue that the Police Commission is obstructing efforts to improve public safety and even propose dismantling this civilian oversight board. This sentiment gained traction, playing a significant role in the City Council’s recent decisions.
At the latest City Council meeting, the typically mundane task of reappointing Police Commission members transformed into a fierce debate.
Councilmember Carroll Fife of District 3 was absent from the meeting, attending a conference in Rome. As a result of the council’s vote, the Police Commission now lacks both a chair, Ricardo Garcia-Acosta, and an alternate commissioner, Omar Farmer.
Farmer expressed his disappointment over the council’s decision, stating, “I’m offended by the callous indifference I received after volunteering for the city of Oakland for five years. At minimum, the City Council should have highlighted the amazing work we’ve done and said thank you.”
Garcia-Acosta also voiced outrage, articulating that the council’s actions undermine the progress made in police oversight efforts. He cautioned that by disregarding the work of dedicated public servants, the council risks jeopardizing the future of the city’s efforts to exit federal oversight.
The council’s vote occurred shortly after OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell announced his resignation, an event some speculate was influenced by his frustrations with navigating relationships with the civilian-led oversight board.
The reasons behind the council members’ votes against the reappointments varied. Some members cited reservations about the selection process for police commissioners, while others focused on the commissioners’ conduct.
District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo noted, “I appreciate the work of Garcia and Farmer, but we need to improve the process for recruitment and selection.”
The recruitment procedure for the Police Commission is already under scrutiny, as it has faced difficulties in attracting new commissioners. This year, only seven applications were received by the selection panel, a stark contrast to the more than 100 applications in previous years. Despite this challenge, the selection panel unanimously recommended reappointing Garcia-Acosta and Farmer.
In a statement shared with The Oaklandside, At-large Councilmember Rowena Brown explained her decision as a commitment to ensuring the process meets “the highest standards of fairness and public confidence,” although she did not elaborate on the specific flaws she perceived in the selection procedure.
During the meeting, Rickisha Herron, chair of the selection panel, defended the recruitment process and criticized the council for not providing legitimate reasons for rejecting the nominations. She stated, “To question the selection panel’s appointments without basis is to disrespect the work of the members on the selection panel.”
Further complicating the situation, District 7 Councilmember Ken Houston accused Garcia-Acosta and Farmer of displaying “subtle passive aggressive disrespect” toward elected officials and staff. He remarked that he could now understand the concerns of the OPD regarding disrespectful behavior from those acting as volunteers.
On the same day as the council meeting, Farmer received a call from Sgt. Huy Nguyen, president of the Oakland police union. Although Nguyen did not confirm the conversation, Houston reported that Nguyen expressed a need for better-qualified individuals on the commission who still hold police accountable.
Despite the tension, Council President Kevin Jenkins refrained from providing detailed justifications for the council’s decision. Other council members, including Janani Ramachandran, Charlene Wang, and Zac Unger, did not respond to inquiries regarding their votes.
From Italy, Councilmember Fife took to Instagram Live, emphasizing that the opposition to the reappointments appeared intertwined with a broader agenda focused on crime reduction. She articulated, “This lack of an appointment is not going to change the systemic issues that lead to crime in the first place.”
Fife criticized the notion that reappointing the commissioners would contribute to crime rates, affirming that accountability is not anti-police.
Also linked to the council’s decision was a letter authored by local activist Rajni Mandal, which criticized Farmer prior to the meeting. Mandal’s letter called upon the council to reject any reappointments recommended by the selection panel that included Farmer, asserting that he had overstepped his authority and become involved in matters outside the commission’s defined scope.
Farmer learned of Mandal’s letter only after Jenkins removed the reappointments from the agenda, expressing disbelief at the severity of the accusations leveled against him. He characterized Mandal’s claims as “outrageous” and suggested that they overlooked his extensive experience with various government boards.
Mandal defended her letter, asserting that her complaints were focused on adherence to city charter rules rather than any personal grievances.
The Police Commission’s independent legal counsel attempted to counter Mandal’s claims with an Oct. 13 letter to Jenkins, stating that her allegations misinterpreted the commission’s oversight role and operations defined by the city charter. The letter underscored the necessity of stability in the commission’s leadership to maintain effective oversight, especially given current challenges faced by the OPD.
Following the council’s decision, Garcia-Acosta announced that the selection panel would reconvene to discuss the next steps regarding the council’s vote. He emphasized that both he and Farmer would continue advancing essential work, including collaborating with city officials to select interim and permanent police chiefs.
Public commentary at the council meeting reflected the divided sentiments regarding the reappointments. Out of the 39 individuals who signed up to speak, many voiced concerns about the Police Commission and its effectiveness.
Residents like Mandisa Leachman, who lost her son to gun violence in Oakland, blamed the commission for the police chief’s resignation and condemned the council’s decision regarding the reappointments. Another resident voiced concerns about the level of power held by appointed volunteers, questioning their accountability.
Some residents criticized the commissioners for overstepping their authority and prioritizing personal agendas over community safety. In contrast, advocates for police reform expressed concern that the grievances against Garcia-Acosta and Farmer were misplaced, fearing negative consequences for the upcoming court hearing related to the OPD’s federal oversight.
Activists urged the council to recognize the importance of the commission in addressing longstanding issues within OPD and highlighted the contributions of Garcia-Acosta and Farmer to police accountability efforts. They warned against allowing political maneuvering to overshadow essential volunteer work within the community, highlighting the significance of experienced leaders in navigating complex safety challenges.
Overall, the recent developments surrounding the Oakland Police Commission exemplify the growing tensions between community members, their elected representatives, and the police department. As the city grapples with its public safety strategies, the validity and future of the civilian oversight process remain at the forefront of the conversation.
image source from：oaklandside
