From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Judge Orders Oakland Police Reforms, Says Mayor Schaaf Did Not Honor Her Word
Following a hearing this week with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and other top city officials, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson issued a court order Wednesday requiring the City of Oakland to reform how it conducts investigations of police misconduct. The judge’s order came in response to the June 21 report of a court investigator that found the city had “severely mishandled” the investigation into allegations that Oakland Police Department had sexually exploited underage teenager Celeste Guap.
Attending the July 10 court hearing were Mayor Schaaf, Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, City Council members and police command stand.
“Defendants continue to say many of the right things,” wrote Judge Henderson in the court order. “However…good intentions are not enough. Now, more than ever, is the time for action and not just words.”
Some of the changes the judge is requiring:
1. OPD criminal investigators must inform the District Attorney whenever they have a reasonable suspicion that an officer committed a crime;
2. OPD´s special victims unit should lead investigations in to alleged police sex crimes, instead of homicide investigators;
3. Internal affairs must brief the mayor and the city administrator monthly on major police misconduct cases;
4. Internal affairs investigators should notify the Oakland City attorney´s Office early in police misconduct investigations.
The city is required to file a report to the court by Sept. 15 on the implementation of the reforms.
“For any changes not yet fully implemented, the city shall include a timeline for implementation, as well as a list of responsible person who may, if warranted, be subject to contempt proceedings or other sanctions for any missed deadlines,” the court order said.
A follow up hearing will be held on Oct. 2.
For the past 14 years, Judge Henderson has been overseeing police reforms required as part of the Negotiated Settlement Agreement, which settled the lawsuit against the city in the infamous Riders Case, in which officers were alleged to have kidnapped, planted evidence, and beat citizens. After Judge Henderson retires on Aug. 11, the case will be handled by Judge William H. Orrick III.
“When the police sexual misconduct issue first was revealed, Mayor Schaaf tried to divert the public’s attention by announcing her concern over the texting of racial images by some Black officers. She emphasized the race of Black officers’ inappropriately texting rather than pointing out the race of the non-Black officers involved in teenage sextings,” said Post publisher Paul Cobb after Post staff interviewed her.
“Defendants continue to say many of the right things,” wrote Judge Henderson in the court order. “However…good intentions are not enough. Now, more than ever, is the time for action and not just words.”
Some of the changes the judge is requiring:
1. OPD criminal investigators must inform the District Attorney whenever they have a reasonable suspicion that an officer committed a crime;
2. OPD´s special victims unit should lead investigations in to alleged police sex crimes, instead of homicide investigators;
3. Internal affairs must brief the mayor and the city administrator monthly on major police misconduct cases;
4. Internal affairs investigators should notify the Oakland City attorney´s Office early in police misconduct investigations.
The city is required to file a report to the court by Sept. 15 on the implementation of the reforms.
“For any changes not yet fully implemented, the city shall include a timeline for implementation, as well as a list of responsible person who may, if warranted, be subject to contempt proceedings or other sanctions for any missed deadlines,” the court order said.
A follow up hearing will be held on Oct. 2.
For the past 14 years, Judge Henderson has been overseeing police reforms required as part of the Negotiated Settlement Agreement, which settled the lawsuit against the city in the infamous Riders Case, in which officers were alleged to have kidnapped, planted evidence, and beat citizens. After Judge Henderson retires on Aug. 11, the case will be handled by Judge William H. Orrick III.
“When the police sexual misconduct issue first was revealed, Mayor Schaaf tried to divert the public’s attention by announcing her concern over the texting of racial images by some Black officers. She emphasized the race of Black officers’ inappropriately texting rather than pointing out the race of the non-Black officers involved in teenage sextings,” said Post publisher Paul Cobb after Post staff interviewed her.
For more information:
http://www.oaklandpost.org/2017/07/14/judg...
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Mrs Cold Hearted EVIL Give them the Ole Masonic Shaaf gave us the Hopeful and Telling Statement "I am running a Police Dept Not a Frat" since have Proven that she Runs a Frat. Now in the SUMMER Months thinking while people Are NOT Looking she would pull a Masonic Fast one by Paying off Victim (Proving Guilt) without Firing and Jailing ALL 30 Police Officers. Now Caught Mr. RunningWolf (Not Jim Chanin) outs the Scam & campaign to get Child Molestors brought 2 Justice. Once again the Masonic Oder (soon to be Evicted from Indigenous Lands) tries to Bungle with 3 Investigating officers to take Blame fumbling Investigation but ONLY Promoted SCUMBAGS furthering Mr. RunningWolf to go after ALL 33 officers and NEW Police Chief. We need the Real Elected Mayor Rebecca Kaplan to Step into Mayors Seat to Demand All brought to Justice including Shaaf.
For more information:
http://www.stopdriving.org
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network