TO: Public Safety Committee
Oakland City Council
FROM: Chair Regina Jackson
Oakland Police Commission
SUBJECT: Status on Bey Matter
DATE: October 21, 2021
RECOMMENDATION
Receive An Informational Report From The Oakland Police Commission (“Commission”) About Forward-Looking Policy Reform Steps Stemming From The Bey Matter.
BACKGROUND/LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The Commission’s charter role codified in Oakland City Charter Section 604(a)(1) is to oversee the Oakland Police Department (“Department”) to ensure its policies, practices, and customs conform with national standards of constitutional policing.
The Inspector General’s functions and duties codified in Oakland Municipal Code Section 2.45.120 include “Monitoring, evaluating, and making recommendations regarding the Department's policies and procedures as requested by the Commission in furtherance of its duties under City Charter section 604(b)(4), (5) and (6).”
INFORMATION
The Commission thanks City Council for its continued interest in the Commission’s work. As reflected in the Oakland Municipal Code section that Council adopted in order to empower the Commission, the Commission has limited authority to publicize certain disciplinary matters pertaining to a sworn officer of the Oakland Police Department. (See Oakland Municipal Code 2.45.045.) With that said, Vice Mayor Kaplan’s Memorandum on May 7, 2021 specifically stated: “As we move forward, let us continue to seek truth, pursue and explore what methods are available for the Council to receive further information, and also to continue to work toward remedies and restoration.” The Commission agrees.
This update pertains to the Commission’s planned policy reform steps stemming from the Bey matter. Namely, the Commission’s plans for forward-looking policy changes focus on the new Inspector General, an office specifically designed to audit and investigate systemic Department issues and make “recommendations regarding the Department's policies and procedures as requested by the Commission in furtherance of its duties under City Charter section 604(b)(4), (5) and (6).” The Chair of the Commission on July 22 directed Commission staff to agendize a vote to refer the subpoenaed records related to this matter to the new Inspector General, with direction to review the subpoenaed records and present recommendations for policy changes. The Commission will take that vote once the new IG is appointed, which is currently on track to take place this calendar year.
Relatedly, at the Commission’s last regular meeting, which took place on October 14, the Commission shared its progress in standing up the new Inspector General’s office. The Commission announced that it selected three finalists as candidates for the new IG position, and the Commission also announced Wednesday October 27 at 5 PM as the date when the Commission will host final interviews in a public forum.
The Commission will continue to explore opportunities to provide updates and relevant information to the Council about its progress on this matter.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to receive this informational report.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
No outreach was deemed necessary for this informational report beyond the standard City Council agenda noticing procedures.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Oakland Police Commission.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: There are no formal economic opportunities associated with this report.
Environmental: There are no formal environmental opportunities associated with this report. Race & Equity: Equity is an essential principle driving constitutional policing and civilian oversight of the Oakland Police Department.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive An Informational Report from the Oakland Police Commission About Forward-Looking Policy Reform Steps Stemming From The Bey Matter.
CITY OF OAKLAND AGENDA REPORT