City of Oakland Encourages Residents to Apply for Police Commission

OAKLAND, CA - The City of Oakland Selection Panel for the Police Commission today announced the opening of the application process for community members to serve on the Oakland Police Commission. Candidates should be ready to assist with policy reform on a wide range of issues facing the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and the Oakland community.

Establishing and maintaining public trust and confidence in the Oakland Police Department (OPD) is essential for the department to provide the highest level of service to the community.

"If you can be fair, impartial and want to uphold justice for the citizens of Oakland, apply to be an Oakland Police Commissioner today," said Police Commission Selection Chairperson Rickisha Herron

The Selection Panel will seek to make appointments that reflect Oaklanders' diversity of experiences, especially individuals from communities experiencing the most frequent contact with the police. Strong commitment to police accountability and public service will be prioritized. Duties include overseeing the Community Police Review Agency, which conducts investigations into allegations of officer misconduct; overseeing the Office of the Inspector General, which will conduct independent audits of OPD; proposing changes to, approving, or rejecting current or proposed OPD policies; and removing the Chief of Police for cause, as well as other duties.

Commissioners must meet two criteria:

1. be a resident of the City of Oakland; and
2. be over 18 years of age by the date of the first Commission meeting

These positions are volunteer and unpaid. Regular meetings are held every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm, with additional meetings for members serving on Ad Hoc or Standing Committees. Police commissioners should expect to spend 15-20 hours a week on commission business, including meeting preparation and attendance. The Selection Panel strongly encourages formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.

Individuals meeting the following criteria are not eligible to serve on the Police Commission: current sworn police officers; current city employees; former OPD sworn employees; current or former employees, officials, or representatives of an employee association representing sworn police officers; attorneys with pending claim or lawsuit against OPD; and attorneys who have filed a claim or lawsuit against OPD that was resolved during the past year.

Applications are available at www.oaklandca.gov/policecommission and will be accepted until June 14, 2024, when the Selection Panel will begin to interview candidates. Appointments will be made no later than October 16, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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