Have ideas for what you’d like to see in Oakland’s next police chief? Here’s your chance.
The Police Commission, the civilian agency overseeing the Oakland Police Department, is inviting the public to weigh in on the search for the department’s leader at six upcoming community forums.
All forums are free and open to all. Meetings will also be broadcast via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person, though it will be listen-only.
The commission will give residents the opportunity to share their preferred qualifications, priorities, and attributes for the next top cop.
Community surveys and more information on the recruitment process are on the city’s website.
Schedule of community forums for Oakland’s police chief search
Wednesday, March 11 – East Oakland
6–7:30 p.m.
Oakland Public Library: 81st Avenue Branch
1021 81st Ave., Oakland
Thursday, March 12 – Temescal
Police Commission Special Community Meeting
Around 6:30 p.m. (after the 5:30 p.m. closed session)
East Bay Church of Religious Science
4130 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Sunday, March 15 – Dimond
1:30–3 p.m.
Imani Community Church
3300 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
Wednesday, March 25 – Fruitvale
6–7:30 p.m.
Oakland Public Library: César E. Chávez Branch
3301 East 12th St., Suite 271, Oakland
Spanish interpretation provided
Monday, March 30 – West Oakland
6–7:30 p.m.
DeFremery Park Recreation Center, Social Hall
1651 Adeline St., Oakland
Thursday, April 2 – Chinatown
6–7:30 p.m.
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 9th St., Suite 290, Oakland
Chinese interpretation provided
What’s the timeline for recruiting the next OPD chief?
The recruitment process started on Feb. 20, according to the Police Commission.
From March through early April, the commission will host six community forums to hear residents’ thoughts on what they’d like to see in the next chief.
On April 23, the Police Commission will present its findings from those forums to the public during one of its regular meetings.
From late April to early May, the commission’s chief search ad hoc committee will interview candidates for the job. Historically, those interviews have been accessible to the public.
From early to mid-June, the full commission will present a list of three finalists to the mayor’s office.
In mid- or late July, Mayor Barbara Lee will announce her pick for OPD’s next police chief.
The timeline is subject to change, according to the commission.
The hunt for Oakland’s next top cop comes after former Chief Floyd Mitchell stepped down in early December after roughly a year and a half on the job. Since then, James Beere has taken over as interim police chief.
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