View Report — Oakland City Council, September 19, 2023

City Council
September 19, 2023

AGENDA REPORT

TO: Jestin D. Johnson
City Administrator
FROM: Felicia Verdin
Assistant to the City
Administrator

SUBJECT: Selection Panel Nominations for
Police Commissioner Appointments
DATE: August 24, 2023

City Administrator Approval Date:

RECOMMENDATION

Staff Recommends That City Council Adopt A Resolution Accepting The Police Commission Selection Panel’s Slate Of Two Commissioners, Karely Ordaz And Wilson Riles, To Serve On The Oakland Police Commission

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In accordance with the City Charter, City Council’s approval of the resolution will accept the Selection Panel’s slate of nominees, Karely Ordaz and Wilson Riles, to serve on the Police Commission. With City Council’s approval, Ms. Ordaz and Mr. Riles will be appointed as Police Commissioners for three-year terms each, beginning on October 17, 2023, and ending on October 16, 2025.

BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

The Oakland Police Commission was first established by voter approval through Measure LL on November 8, 2016, and later amended through Measure S1 on November 3, 2020. Measures LL and S1established a seven-member Police Commission, with two alternate commissioners, charged with overseeing the Oakland Police Department (OPD) to ensure that its policies, practices, and customs meet national standards of constitutional policing. Duties of the Police Commissioners include overseeing the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA), which conducts investigations into allegations of officer misconduct, overseeing the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which performs independent audits of OPD, proposing changes to, approving, or rejecting current or proposed OPD policies, hiring and removing the Chief of Police, and other duties.

Measures LL and S1 also established a nomination process whereby a nine-person Selection Panel is responsible for nominating four (4) Commissioners and one (1) Alternate Commissioner to the Police Commission. The Mayor is responsible for nominating the other three (3) Commissioners and one (1) Alternate Commissioner to the Police Commission. All nominations are subject to City Council approval. The Mayor and each City Council Member select an individual to serve on the Selection Panel. The Selection Panel meets as needed to Sep 5, 2023
Jestin Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Selection Panel Police Commissioner Appointments Date: August 23, 2023 Page 2

City Council
September 19, 2023

determine its selection process, including reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, and selecting commissioners.

ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES

This recommendation is connected to the citywide priority of holistic community safety. The work of the Selection Panel to recommend Police Commissioners is critically important to public safety in Oakland to ensure that the body is representative of Oakland. The Police Commission is responsible for overseeing many policies and other work that govern OPD, the OIG and CPRA.

For the 2023 nomination period, the Selection Panel was tasked with selecting two commissioners to replace the commissioners with terms set to expire on October 16, 2023.

In the spring, the Selection Panel conducted an extensive community outreach process to seek applications for the two expiring commissioner positions. In the spring and summer of 2023, the Selection Panel interviewed 10 applicants over the course of two rounds of interviews.

The Selection Panel ultimately selected two (2) candidates as its nominees to the Selection Panel: Karely Ordaz and Wilson Riles. Ms. Ordaz currently serves on the Police Commission as an Alternate Commissioner appointed by the Mayor. Her appointment as an alternate Police Commission was approved by City Council on June 2, 2022, pursuant to City Council Resolution No. 89236 C.M.S. Ms. Ordaz applied to the Selection Panel to be a full-time Police Commissioner during the 2023 nomination process and was selected by the Selection Panel as their nominee. If approved by City Council, Ms. Ordaz’s alternate commissioner position would become vacant.

At its meeting on July 25, 2023, the Selection Panel voted to select Karely Ordaz and Wilson Riles as its candidates for the two expiring positions on the Police Commission. The Selection Panel submits Ms. Ordaz and Mr. Riles to the City Council for approval and appointment to the Police Commission. If approved, both Ms. Ordaz and Mr. Riles’ terms will begin on October 17, 2023, and end on October 16, 2025.

In addition to the two nominees, the Selection Panel selected three (3) candidates to place in the reserve pool to consider should a vacancy occur before the 2024 selection process.

Ms. Ordaz and Mr. Riles’ application materials are included herein as Attachments A, and B.

Ms. Ordaz would assume a regular Commissioner term beginning on October 17, 2023 and ending on October 16, 2025.

If the City Council does not take any action on Karely Ordaz and/or Wilson Riles’ nomination within sixty (60) days, in that case, the two nominees shall be deemed appointed to the Police Commission pursuant to City Charter Section 604(c)(3)(c).

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no direct fiscal impact associated with City Council action on this report.

Jestin Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Selection Panel Police Commissioner Appointments Date: August 23, 2023 Page 3

City Council
September 19, 2023

PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST

Public outreach for the Police Commission vacancies was conducted in the form of a press release from the Selection Panel, the Police Commission, and the Mayor’s office, postings on social media channels such as Nextdoor and Twitter, articles in newsletters, emails to local nonprofits, flyers provided at community events, and ads placed in the Oakland Post.

COORDINATION

This report has been prepared in coordination with the Office of the City Attorney.

SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES

Economic: There are no economic opportunities associated with this report.

Environmental: There are no environmental opportunities associated with this report.

Race & Equity: There are no race and equity opportunities associated with this report.

ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Accepting The Selection Panel’s Slate Of Two Police Commissioners (Karely Ordaz and Wilson Riles) To Serve On The City Of Oakland Police Commission.

For questions regarding this report, please contact Felicia Verdin, Assistant to the City Administrator, at (510) 238-3128.

Respectfully submitted,

Felicia Verdin
Assistant to the City Administrator

Attachments (2):

A. Karely Ordaz – Application for Police Commissioner
B. Wilson Riles – Application for Police Commissioner

2 Police Commission
Application for Position of Commissioner
The purpose of the Police Commission is to oversee the Oakland Police Department in order to make sure that its policies, practices and customs meet national standards of constitutional policing.

A Selection Panel of volunteer community members will select Oakland residents to serve on the Police Commission. Seated Commissioners are volunteers and will not be compensated.

Applicant Information
Full Name: Date:

Last First M.I.

Home
Address:

Street Address Apartment/Unit #
City State ZIP Code
Phone: Email
Supplemental Questionnaire
The purpose of this supplemental questionnaire is to evaluate your qualifications to serve on the Police Commission. This application, along with your answers to these questions, will be used by the Selection Panel to select the most suitably qualified candidates (Question 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.) • Applications submitted without a completed supplemental questionnaire will not be considered. • Please limit your response to each question to one 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper (single or double spaced).

Please respond (in writing) to the following questions:

1. P le
ase describe any life work and significant community volunteer experiences that prepare you to contribute to the work of the Commission.

2. P le
ase describe your contacts or experiences with the Oakland Police Department.

3. P le
ase describe, if applicable, if you or an immediate family member has had significant volunteer or employment experience:
a. as a pol
ice officer,
b. as a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney,
c. with a public agency or nonprofit community group serving or advocating for crime victims or persons charged or convicted of crimes.

4. H
ave
you ever served on a board, committee, commission, or other group? (Examples might include church boards or school organizations.) Please describe your experiences. What were the most challenging aspects of your participation?
Ordaz Salto
Karely
M
06/03/2023
Oakland, CA 94603

3 Application Considerations
Check all that apply:

I would like to be considered as a Selection Panel appointee? YES NO I would like to be considered as a Mayoral Appointee? YES NO References
Please list three professional or personal references who are familiar with your background, experience and qualifications, and who can answer questions about your ability to serve as a Commissioner.

Full Name: Relationship:

E-Mail Phone:

Full Name: Relationship:

E-Mail Phone:

Full Name: Relationship:

E-Mail Phone:

Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire

1. With which race and/or ethnicity do you identify? (Check all that apply.)  White
 Black or African American
 Latino
 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
 Asian
 American Indian or Alaskan Native
 Other: _______________________
 I do not wish to Self-Identify

2. W hat
is your gender?
 ______________________  I do not wish to self-identify

3. You ar
e considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history of such an impairment or medical conditions.

Please check one of the boxes below:
☐ Yes, I have a disability (or previously had a disability) ☐ No, I do not have a disability
☐ I do not wish to answer
Mariano Contreras
Mentor
X
Female
X
Andrew Park
Colleague
Monique Berlanga
Colleague

4 Required Questionnaire

4. How long have you lived in Oakland?
 ________________________

5. How man
y meetings of the Police Commission have you attended, on Zoom or in person? (You can find a link to the next meeting on the agenda for that meeting, which can be found at www.oaklandca.gov/policecommission. You can also find video recordings of past meetings there.)  0
 1-
2  3 or more

6. H ow di
d you hear about applying to be on the Police Commission?  ________________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer and Signature
The City Charter requires background checks for all Police Commission members and alternates. Prior convictions will not eliminate you from consideration. The Selection Panel strongly encourages formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.

I certify that I am over eighteen years of age and that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

My signature below also indicates my acknowledgement that, by applying for the position of Commissioner, I will be subject to a background check.

Once submitted, your application form, along with all attachments, becomes a public record.

Signature: Date:

Completed applications must be received by May 31, 2023, by mail, hand-delivery, or email as follows:

Mail or
Hand-Delivery
(Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm)
Selection Panel for Police Commission
c/o City Administrator’s Office
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Email Address: [email protected]
Subject: Police Commission Application
For assistance or additional information
contact
City Administrator’s Office
[email protected]
(510) 238-3301
28 years
X
I was invited to apply by the Selection Panel.
06/03/2023

PoliceCommissionApplicationSupplementalQuestionnaireKarelyOrdazSalto,MPA Question#1.PleasedescribeanylifeworkandsignificantcommunityvolunteerexperiencesthatprepareyoutocontributetotheworkoftheCommission.

Myprofessional,community,andlivedexperiencehavepreparedmetocontributemeaningfullytotheworkoftheCommission.IbelieveI’mastrongcandidatetocontinuetoserveontheOaklandPoliceCommissionforthefollowingreasons:
1)IhaveaproventrackrecordofholdingtheOaklandPoliceDepartmentaccountablebyraisingcriticalquestionsasanAlternateCommissioner.Overthelast10months,IhavebeenaconsistentandactivememberoftheOaklandPoliceCommission.Sincedayone,I’veaskedhardquestions,respectfullychallengedinformationthatseemedinaccurateorinconsistent,andcriticallyanalyzedallinformationpresentedtome.I ampreparedforallmeetingsandattendmeetingsconsistently.Iunderstandtheseriousnessof theworkof theCommissionanddon’ttake forgrantedtheresponsibilityOaklandershaveinstilledinthebody. 2)IhavedeepOaklandrootsandstrong,authenticrelationshipswiththeOaklandcommunity.IgrewupinEastandDeepEastOaklandandunderstandfirsthandthepublicsafetychallengesinthecityaswellasthehistoryofpolicemisconductandabuse.IworkatananchorinstitutioninOakland(UnityCouncil)andhaveextensiveconnectionswithcommunity-basedorganizationsandcommunityleadersthroughoutthecity.Ihaveconsistentlysoughtcommunityinputandledeffectivecommunityoutreach.IbringacriticalperspectivetotheCommissionas,whatseems,thefirstLatinaonthebody. 3)Ihaveextensivegovernanceandleadershipexperienceincludingcrisisandchangemanagement.I have over10years ofleadershipandgovernanceexperience.I haveservedonsix(6)boardsincludingtheCityofOakland’s CommercialSexualExploitationofChildren(CSEC)TaskForce.Ongovernanceboards,I’ve managedexecutive directortransitions,ledexecutive searchprocesses,approvedmulti-milliondollarbudgets,anddevelopedpolicyinpartnershipwithleadership.I’veledstrategicplanningsessions,facilitatedclosedsessiondiscussions,managedcrises,andparticipatedingovernanceandleadershiptrainingsincludingtheBrownActandRobert’sRulesofOrder.Ienjoy,andhaveatrackrecordof,workingcollaborativelywithotherstomeetgoalsandachievesocialimpact. 4)I haveextensivepolicy, advocacyandlegislativeexperienceat thelocal,regional,state,andfederallevel.Forover5years,IworkedasalegislativeandmayoralaideintheCityofOakland.Inmyroles,I developedandnegotiatedpolicysolutionsto many Oaklandproblemsincludingillegaldumping.I understandthepublicpolicyandlegislativeprocess(atalllevels)andthestakeholderengagement necessarytofindcommonground.IhaveaMasterofPublicAffairsDegreefromthe 1 PoliceCommissionApplicationSupplementalQuestionnaireKarelyOrdazSalto,MPA GoldmanSchoolofPublicPolicyatUCBerkeley,thenumberoneschoolforpolicyanalysis.IrecentlycompletedaChiefofStaffCertificationfromtheSaidSchoolofBusinessattheUniversityofOxfordfocusedontransformationalleadership,statusbehavior,andleadershipperformance. 5)ForyearsI’veworkedwiththeOaklandPoliceDepartment.InmyrolesasaconstituentliaisonintheOaklandCityCouncilandspecialassistant tothemayor, IinteractedwiththeOaklandPoliceDepartmentalmostdaily,workingwithbothswornandnonswornpersonnel.AsChairoftheCSECTaskForce,IworkedcloselywithOPD’sVice/ChildExploitationUnit.Inmyjobandasaresidentofbeat34X,IinteractregularlywithOPDonviolenceandcrime. 6)Iamastrongcommunicator(writtenandoral)withmediaexperience.IhaveformallypresentedtotheOaklandCityCouncilandspokenpubliclyattownhallsof500+attendees,localcommunitymeetings,CityofOaklandandAlamedaCountypublicmeetings,commencement ceremonies(askeynote),andgraduatestudents(asguest speaker).I haveconnectionstotheBayAreabilingualmediaecosystemandhaveservedasapublicspokespersonfororganizationsandleaders. 7)I have extensive andmeaningfulrelationshipsinsideCityHall. I understandtheintertwinedrelationshipthattheCommissionhaswiththeCityofOakland.TheOPCmustoperateindependently,butwithinthestructureoftheCity.Ibelieveit’snecessarytohavepeopleontheCommissionwhounderstandhowCityHallworksANDhaverelationshipswithkeyleaders.Ihavepersonal,positiverelationshipswithcitystaffandelectedofficials.TheserelationshipsarenecessarytoensuretheworkoftheCommissionmovesforward.

Question#2.PleasedescribeyourcontactsorexperienceswiththeOaklandPoliceDepartment.

OaklandPoliceCommission:AsamemberoftheOaklandPoliceCommission,I’veengagedwithmembers ofthedepartment includingtheChiefofPolice.IbelieveallmyinteractionshavebeenrespectfulandrootedintheworkoftheCommission.

CommercialSexualExploitationofChildren(CSEC)Taskforce:For2years,IwastheChairoftheCommercialSexualExploitationofChildren(CSEC)Taskforce,avictim-centeredandsurvivor-informedcollaborativecomprisedofindividualsandorganizationsthatserve,educate,protect,andadvocateforvictimsandSurvivors/Thriversofcommercialsextrafficking.OPD’sVice/ChildExploitationUnitwasacriticalpartnerintheTaskForceandIworkedcloselywithLt.JillEncinias,wholedtheunitatthetime. 2 PoliceCommissionApplicationSupplementalQuestionnaireKarelyOrdazSalto,MPA OPDCSECAwarenessTrainings:WhentheOPD’ssexualmisconductwasuncoveredin2016,Iwastaskedwithrespondingtothecommunityimpactincludingangerandmistrust.Asaresponse,wesecured fundingfor CSEC AwarenessTrainingacrossall community-facingCityof OaklanddepartmentsincludingOPD.Ico-designthecurriculumandledtheimplementationofthetrainingsacrosscitydepartmentswhichincludedOPD.

PublicSafetyinEastOakland:AsaconstituentliaisonforDistrict5,6,and7,IworkedwithOPDofficers,at alllevelsofthecommandchain,torespondtocommunityconcerns,questionsandrecommendationsforimprovingpublicsafety.

In2016intheOfficeoftheMayor,Iorganizedcity-wideChiefofPoliceCommunityForumstoheardirectlyfromOaklanders onthequalitiesandskillsnecessaryforOPD’sChiefofPoliceaswellaswhat’sneededtoimprovecommunitysafetyandpolice-communityrelations.

CommunityAdvocate:InmyroleasChiefofStaffatTheUnityCouncil,IengagewithOPDregardingpublicsafetyconcernsinFruitvaleandEastOakland.I’vegivenwalk-throughsoftheFruitvaleTransitVillagetoOPDofficersincludingtheChiefofPolice.

Question#3.Pleasedescribe,ifapplicable,ifyouoranimmediatefamilymemberhashadsignificantvolunteeroremploymentexperience:A. asapoliceofficer,-N/AB. asacriminalprosecutorordefenseattorney,-N/AC. withapublicagencyornonprofitcommunitygroupservingoradvocatingforcrimevictimsorpersonschargedorconvictedofcrimes.- I’veworkedwiththeSpanishSpeakingCitizensFoundation,ananchorinstitutioninFruitvale,onvictimsofcrimecases.IpartnerandsupportCentroLegaldelaRaza,anotheranchorinstitutioninFruitvalethat representsvictimsofviolentcrime.

Question#4.Haveyoueverservedonaboard,committee,commission,orothergroup?(Examplesmightincludechurchboardsorschoolorganizations.)Overthelast10years,I’veservedonsix(6)governancebodies(seelistbelow).

Pleasedescribeyourexperiences.Whatwerethemostchallengingaspectsofyourparticipation?Themost challengingaspectofmyparticipationhasbeenbalancingtheneedsofallstakeholdersandtime.I’velearnedto1)listen,2)valueandrespectallperspectives,3)makedecisionsbasedonthebest availableinformation,and4)have a long-termperspective.I domybest toplanmytimeaccordinglytomeetmyresponsibilities. 3 PoliceCommissionApplicationSupplementalQuestionnaireKarelyOrdazSalto,MPA Governance&LeadershipExperience:
1) OaklandPoliceCommission:IwasappointedbyMayorSchaafasanAlternateCommissionerandapprovedunanimouslybytheCityCouncillastyear.I’vebeenontheCommissionsinceAugust2022.2) AlamedaCounty-OaklandCommunityActionPartnership(AC-OCAP):TheAC-OCAPaimstoimprove communityby creatingpathways that leadto economicempowerment andprosperity.AsarepresentativeforDistrict5,Iprovidedanti-povertyfundingintheareasofjobtraining,employmentplacement,andhousing&communitydevelopmentforhouseholdsatorbelow100%ofthefederalpovertyguidelines.(2013-2015).3) CityofOakland’s CommercialSexualExploitationofChildren(CSEC)TaskForce:I wasamemberofthenewlyformedCSECTaskForcein2013.By2015,IwastheChair.Iconvenedstakeholders;createdanewgovernancestructure;increasedcommunityengagement;wrotetwoannualreportspresentedtotheCityCouncil;advocatedforstatewidelegislation;securedfunding;launchedreportjohn.org;andworkedwiththeSanJosePoliceDepartmenttolaunchasimilarprogram.(2013-2018).4) AmethodPublicCharterSchools(AMPS):AMPSisacharterschoolmanagementorganizationwhosemissionistopreparestudentsfromunderservedcommunitiestosucceedincollegeandbeyond.Theorganizationoperates6schoolsin2counties.IwasthefirstAlumnitoserveontheboard.I wastheBoard Secretary thentheChairduringthelast yearofmy term.(2015-2019)5) East OaklandBoxingAssociation(EOBA): For over 30 years, EOBA hasempoweredunderservedyouthinEastOaklandtobewell-roundedchampionsathome,atschool,andintheircommunities.AsBoardChair,Iledthemostrecentexecutivesearchprocess,hiredanexecutivedirector, managedanorganizationtransition,andrecruitednewboardmembers.(2016-present)6) GoldmanSchoolofPublicPolicyAlumniBoard:In2022IwaselectedtotheGSPPAlumniBoardofDirectors toimprovethepublicpolicydecision-makinginthepublic,private,andnonprofitsectors,andassist GSPPinkeepingitscurriculumrelevanttotheneedsofpublicpolicypractitioners,amongotherresponsibilities. 4 Karely Ordaz Salto, MPA
Oakland, CA • • •

1 CAREER PROFILE
Public sector leader with 10+ years of experience working in government and community-based institutions. Strengths include executive leadership, policy analysis, management, community organizing, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising. Proven ability to align teams around strategic initiatives and build private-public partnerships.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Unity Council
Chief of Staff Oakland, CA – December 2020 – present • Executive Advisor: Advise CEO in various areas including strategy, politics, advocacy, policy, partnerships, and special projects • Intergovernmental Affairs: Drive the organization’s policy & advocacy priorities and serve as liaison to local, regional, state, and federal governments.
• Collective Impact: Lead the Resilient Fruitvale Collaborative comprised of 19 organizations and align services for collective impact. • Grant Management: Manage a $2M COVID-19 contract with Alameda County and $4.5M philanthropic grant. • Advocacy: Led advocacy campaign to keep East Oakland together during the Oakland and Alameda County redistricting process

Hamilton Families
Chief of Staff San Francisco, CA – October 2018 – December 2020 • Change Management & Leadership Alignment: Led the transition of 4 CEOs. Planned and executed strategic planning sessions for two leadership teams. Supported and advised CEOs in culture, management, strategy, operations and personnel. • Operations & Fundraising: Strengthened internal communication systems across six sites and 150 employees by revamping processes and clarifying expectations. Wrote weekly internal newsletter. Oversaw workflows in finance, operations, administration, development, human resources, programs, data & evaluati on, and strategic partnerships. Raised over $500,000 in unrestricted funds and managed key donor relationships.
• Board Governance: Strengthened board governance by amending bylaws and updating key governance documents . Led strategic discussions between the board and the executive team during transitions. • Cross Departmental Initiatives: Managed and led organizational consultants providing cross -departmental services in the areas of mental health, board governance, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

City of Oakland, Office of Mayor Libby Schaaf Oakland, CA - March 2015 – September 2018 Special Assistant to the Mayor
• Policy & Legislation: Served as Mayor’s policy advisor on various issues including human trafficking, immigration, illegal dumping, and gender equity. Wrote Sanctuary city legislation adopted by the Alameda County Conference of Mayors in 2017. • Communications & Public Relations : Served as liaison to Spanish -speaking communities in the Bay Area . Managed m edia relations, coordinated interviews, prepared talking points and led the Mayor’s Spanish language communication strategy. Produced written and online communications, including press releases, talking points, media advisories, speeches, briefing materials, and social m edia posts.

Translated documents from English to Spanish and vice-versa. • Leadership & Advocacy: Chaired the City of Oakland’s Task Force on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and tripled membership by engaging cross sector stakeholders . Led process for CSEC Awareness Training for city employees and co-developed trauma-informed curriculum. Wrote the Task Force’s annual reports . Partnered directly with the Alameda County District Attorney to transition the Task Force to the County. Led community efforts in support of AB 1206 passed in 2017. • Community Outreach: Developed community engagement strategies to increase civic engagement and saturate the Mayor’s priorities.

Led the institutionalization of the Civic Design Lab . Co -developed the Oakland Promise Ambassador Program . Led community engagement process for the hire of the OPD Chief of Police in 2016. • Special Projects & Initiatives:

Karely Ordaz Salto, MPA
Oakland, CA

2 • 1) Resilience & Climate Change: Co-developed Oakland’s resilience agenda presented at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador. Wrote application that won the City of Oakland the Global Green City Award presented by the 11th Global Forum on Human Settlements. • 2) Private-Public Partnerships: Led the planning, development, laun ch and implementation of reportjohn.org, an iOS & Android app used to report sex buyers to the Oakland Police Department, increasing reports of sex offenders by 100 %.

The app was highlighted in the New York Times in 2016.
• 3) Events: Planned and executed the first Bay Area Women’s Summit in 2016 , a regional conference focused on equity and the economic advancement of women in the workforce. Raised over $3M. Coordinated high profile guest speakers and conducted outreach to attract approximately 2,000 attendees . Developed the Mayor’s commitments to advancing economic equity for women and ensured those commitments were met within a year.

City of Oakland, City Council Oakland, CA - March 2013 - March 2015 Policy Analyst & Constituent Liaison
• Policy Analysis: Monitored, researched and analyzed local, state and federal policy issues and legislation. Authored legislation including the unanimously adopted Censure Policy.
• Community Engagement: Used data to assess needs of the Council district, served as a liaison to all neighborhoods, cultivated and maintained relations with businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. Received, processed, and responded to constituent requests. • Lobbying: Lobbied for state legislation banning sweepstake casinos (AB 1439) and legislation to allow the City to tow vehicles of people caught dumping illegally or sexually exploiting minors (AB 1206). Coordinated across city departments to close five sweepstake casinos in the Fruitvale District.

American Indian Model Schools (AIMS) Oakland, CA - August 2012 - March 2013 Secretary to the Board of Directors
• Administration: Prepared board meeting agendas, minutes, and policies. Researched, compiled, and prepared the organization’s response to the Notice of Violation, Notice of Revocation and FCMAT report. • Compliance: Monitored compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Education Code, the California Public Records Act, and applicable regulations.

EDUCATION

University of California, Berkeley
Goldman School of Public Policy
Master of Public Affairs

University of California, Berkeley
College of Letters & Science
Bachelor of Arts in American Studies
Concentration: Environment, Policy and Public Health

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Oakland Police Commission, Alternate Commissioner Oakland, CA – 2022 – present Member of the following Adhoc Committees: CPRA Polices, Staff Evaluations, Contracts, OBOA Association, Community Engagement

Goldman School of Public Policy Alumni Association, Member and Mentor Berkeley, CA – 2022 – present Elected for a 3-year term to advance the mission of GSPP, increase engagement among alumni, and improve the student of color experience

East Oakland Boxing Association, Past Chair Oakland, CA – 2016 – present Led executive search process, fiscal oversight, strategic planning, fundraising, partnership cultivation, supervision of Executive Director

Amethod Public Charter Schools, Board Secretary & Past Chair Oakland, CA – 2015 – 2019 Fiscal oversight, development and implementation of five -year strategic plan , managed relationships with school districts, growth management

Alameda County-Oakland Community Action Partnership, Board Member Alameda County – 2013 – 2015 Provided anti-poverty funding in the areas of job training, employment placement and housing & community development for households at or below 100% of the Department of Health and Human Services federal po verty guidelines

A Selection Panel of volunteer community members will select Oakland residents to serve on the Police Commission. Seated Commissioners are volunteers and will not be compensated.

Applicant Information
Full Name: Date:

Last First M.I.

Home
Address:

Please respond (in writing) to the following questions:

1. Please describe any life work and significant community volunteer experiences that prepare you to contribute to the work of the Commission.

2. Please describe your contacts or experiences with the Oakland Police Department.

3. Please describe, if applicable, if you or an immediate family member has had significant volunteer or employment experience:
a. as a police officer,
b. as a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney,
c. with a public agency or nonprofit community group serving or advocating for crime victims or persons charged or convicted of crimes.

4. Have you ever served on a board, committee, commission, or other group? (Examples might include church boards or school organizations.) Please describe your experiences. What were the most challenging aspects of your participation?
Riles Wilson C 3/4/2023
Oakland
CA
94619

4 Required Questionnaire

4. How long have you lived in Oakland?


5. How many
meetings of the Police Commission have you attended, on Zoom or in person? (You can find a link to the next meeting on the agenda for that meeting, which can be found at www.oaklandca.gov/policecommission. You can also find video recordings of past meetings there.) 0 1-2

3 or more

6. How did
you hear about applying to be on the Police Commission? 
Disclaimer and Signature
The City Charter requires background checks for all Police Commission members and alternates. Prior convictions will not eliminate you from consideration. The Selection Panel strongly encourages formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.

I certify that I am over eighteen years of age and that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

My signature below also indicates my acknowledgement that, by applying for the position of Commissioner, I will be subject to a background check.

Once submitted, your application form, along with all attachments, becomes a public record.

Signature: Date:

Completed applications must be received by June 30, 2022, by mail, hand-delivery, or email as follows:

Mail or
Hand-Delivery
(Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm)
Selection Panel for Police Commission
c/o City Administrator’s Office
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Email Address: [email protected]
Subject: Police Commission Application
For assistance or additional information
contact
City Administrator’s Office
[email protected]
(510) 238-3301
03/09/2023
50 years
✔
From my acivist friends
Q-A. Please describe any life work and significant community volunteer experiences that prepare you to contribute to the work of the Commission.

A-A. In 1968 I graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in psychology with a minor in mathematics. I spent two years in the Peace Corp teaching math in a secondary school in Sierra Leone West Africa. A few years after returning to the United States, I entered a Masters in Education program at U.C. Berkeley where I took courses in statistics. These experiences give me educational foundations to more than adequately cope with the statistical data issues and the social psychological translation of data into the dynamics of collective behavior that is often at issue in police policy.

I have taught math in both middle school and high school in Oakland. I have been the principal at two different high schools where I had positive relationships with police officers. In 1979 I was elected to the Oakland City Council to represent District 5 in East Oakland. I have taken ride-a-long’s in both the helicopter and cars. As a Council Member, I reviewed and voted on Police Department budgets, labor contracts, and police policy from 1979 through 1992. Because crime and the police have been and remain a major part of the City’s budget and a predominant aspect of Oakland’s perceived character, I have researched, explored, and discussed the issues that come before the Commission with experts both inside and outside of Oakland.

When I declined to run for reelection in 1992, the Mayor and the City Council asked me to chair a taskforce to shape Oakland’s efforts to create a “community policing” program. At that time and still to a great extent today, the definition and understanding of “community policing” is diverse, contradictory, and confused. The 1992 taskforce that I chaired was able to agree on an understanding and create legislation that the City Council passed unanimously. Oakland’s “community policing” program is still functioning to this day.

Q-B. Please describe your contacts or experiences with the Oakland Police Department.

A-B. Besides my engagement with the Oakland Police as a Council Member from 1979 through 1992, I have had four other instances of engagement:
(1) I do not remember the year but I was arrested at an “anti-apartheid” demonstration. I was protesting the City of Oakland purchasing goods and services from national companies that were doing business with the racist government of South Africa. I was never incarcerated and the charges were dropped.
(2) In 1994 my daughter was kidnapped, raped, and stuffed in the truck of her car. Although she was saved by the East Bay Regional Parks police, the case was investigated by the Oakland Police Department. Leading up to the prosecution of the perpetrator, I and my family had a number of positive interactions with OPD.
(3) There have been several minor paper-work interactions with the Oakland police involving a towed car and the times I needed a crime report on stolen items for my insurance company. (4) In 2021 I was violently arrested in the offices of the Zoning Department. Although the charges were dropped, my attorney brought a civil rights law suit against the City and OPD.

Almost two years later the City settled without admitting fault.

These are the interactions that I remember. I have had engagements with other police departments (Alameda, Livermore, and Sacramento). Also, I was very briefly engaged with some members of the National Secret Service who had been assigned to protect Presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm when I was her senior staff person in Northern California in 1974. I have never been convicted of a crime or served time other than pretrial.

Q-C. Please describe, if applicable, if you or an immediate family member has had significant volunteer or employment experience: a.) as a police officer, b.) as a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney, c.) with a public agency or nonprofit community group serving or advocating for crime victims or persons charged or convicted of crimes. Q-D. Have you ever served on a board, committee, commission, or other group? (Examples might include church boards or school organizations.) Please describe your experiences. What were the most challenging aspects of your participation?

A-C. My brother-in-law, Ron Bostic, who has passed away, was a police officer in Navato and San Jose.

Before he passed away, he moved to Pennsylvania and did not return to police work. My sister, Narvia Bostic, did work in Pennsylvania for the State Justice Department in juvenile services. She no longer works for that agency or in law enforcement. I have no other immediate relatives in law enforcement.

A-D. As I have indicated elsewhere, I chaired Oakland’s taskforce that drafted the legislation for the City Council to create the City’s Community Policing Program. As I remember, there were two challenging aspects to this work.

One challenge was the novelty and variety of understandings of the concept of “community policing” both nationally and locally. This combined with the huge amount of ignorance and misunderstanding that exists generally about police history, practices, criminology, and the interplay or lack of it between overlapping systemic structures in our justice apparatus. This made the taskforce’s work long and laborious.

The second challenge was that the work of the taskforce was later undermined by the systemic problems within OPD. The work of these citizens was not taken seriously by OPD. Debilitating implementation of the Council passed policy included initial “housing” of the community policing agency in the Police Department under the finger of a Police Lieutenant who had little understanding or capacity for community organizing. Also, rather than giving much priority or standing to community policing officers, their work was denigrated within the Department and officers were frequently pulled off that duty and reassigned. The work product of the taskforce was seriously corrupted.

I am elated to have the opportunity to serve on the Oakland Police Commission. I have over many years studied, researched, and supported the creation and empowerment of police commissions both nationally in other cities and in Oakland. I am proud of the evolution of Oakland’s Commission to one of the best in the Country. I am committed to give Oakland and the Commission my best, should I be chosen to serve.

Oakland City CouncilSeptember 19, 2023

Oakland City Council
September 19, 2023