Skelly Hearing Process
Improvements
Informational Report to Oakland City Council
Presented by: Bryan Hubbard, A/Captain of Police
Internal Affairs Bureau • February 24, 2026 Public Safety Committee Overview
1. What is a Skelly Hearing?
2. The Backlog Challenge
3. Progress to Date
4. Process Improvements
5. Path Forward
What is a Skelly Hearing?
A pre-disciplinary due process hearing required under California law for public employees facing suspension, demotion, or termination.
Notice
Written notice of
proposed action
and reasons
Materials
Copy of charges
and supporting
materials
Response
Opportunity to
respond before an
impartial reviewer
Skelly v. State Personnel Board (1975) 15 Cal. 3d 194
The Backlog Challenge
Key Issues Driving the Backlog
Structural Capacity Constraints
18 trained Skelly Hearing Officers; recusal requirements further reduce availability per case
Administrative Workload
Preparation of investigative reports, body-worn camera footage, personnel records, and redactions is labor-intensive
Competing Operational Demands
SHOs have primary operational responsibilities that limit hearing availability Progress to Date
169
46 Pending Skelly Cases
73%
Reduction in Backlog
18 Trained Hearing Officers
October 2024 → January 2026
Process Improvements
Expanded SHO Training Pipeline
All trained Commanders and Managers now eligible
City Executive Cross-Training
Employee Relations identified city executives to conduct hearings Digital Format Transition
Digital Skelly materials reduce preparation time and speed distribution Officer Waiver Option
Formalized waiver for officers who do not contest proposed discipline VISION Integration
Automated reminders, deadline tracking, and email notifications Strategies Under Review
Batch scheduling for related cases
Tiered hearing assignment by discipline severity
Dedicated SHO assignment for backlog clearance
Coordinating timelines with CPRA
Automated redaction software
Pre-hearing settlement conferences
Citywide Priorities Alignment
Holistic
Community Safety
Timely resolution of misconduct
allegations maintains public trust
and ensures accountability.
Prompt resolution builds
community confidence.
Responsive,
Trustworthy
Government
Eliminating the backlog
demonstrates Oakland takes
accountability seriously. Honors
obligations to the public and
rights of the workforce.
Recommendation
Staff recommends continued implementation of the multi-faceted approach to eliminate the Skelly hearing backlog and establish sustainable processes for timely due process hearings.
Bryan Hubbard, A/Captain of Police
Internal Affairs Bureau
[email protected]