The Brief

Oakland police Sgt. Kevin Arias, a 21-year veteran of the department, is accused of stealing more than $38,000 through alleged time-card fraud.

A routine internal audit uncovered alleged irregularities in Arias’ time sheets.

The charges come as a federal judge prepares to weigh whether to end more than two decades of oversight of the Oakland Police Department.

OAKLAND, Calif. – An Oakland police sergeant and 21-year veteran of the force has been charged with grand theft after investigators alleged he fraudulently collected more than $38,000 in pay over two years.

Internal audit finds irregularities

What we know

Sgt. Kevin Arias was charged following a routine internal audit of Oakland Police Department employee time sheets that found irregularities in his records, the department said.

Arias is accused of stealing time between October 2023 and Jan. 26, resulting in more than $38,000 in extra pay, police said.

After the department identified the alleged discrepancies, it referred the case to its Internal Affairs Bureau and Criminal Investigation Division for an independent review.

Chief: Officers will be held accountable

What they’re saying

“Police officers come to work to do the right thing,” Chief James Beere said. “Unfortunately, that was not the case in this situation. We want the public to know that we hold ourselves to the highest standards, and anyone who breaks the law will be fully investigated and referred for prosecution.”

The department presented its findings to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, which filed charges against Arias.

Arias has been placed on administrative leave.

Federal oversight decision looms

What’s next

The alleged time-card fraud comes about a month before a federal judge is expected to consider whether to end the Oakland Police Department’s more than two decades of federal oversight, one of the longest such periods in U.S. history.

The Source

The information in this story came from statements issued by the Oakland Police Department and Chief James Beere on Aug. 28, 2026, after Sgt. Kevin Arias was charged.