New details surface in latest Oakland Police Department misconduct scandal
OAKLAND -- Additional details surfaced Friday regarding the actions of an Oakland police sergeant that led to a scathing report on department misconduct investigations and Chief LeRonne Armstrong being placed on paid leave.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and City Administrator Ed Reiskin issued the statement about Armstrong being placed on leave Thursday evening after acknowledging the recent report on the Oakland Police Department violating its own misconduct policies by independent law firm Clarence Dyer & Cohen LLP.
"The decision was not taken lightly but we believe that it is critical for the safety of our community that we build trust and confidence between the Department and the public," the statement read. "We must have transparency and accountability to move forward as a safer and stronger Oakland."
The Oakland Police Department on Friday confirmed the decision to put Chief Armstrong on paid administrative leave was made jointly by the mayor and City Administrator Reiskin.
Officials said Assistant Chief Darren Allison will serve as Acting Chief effective immediately.
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"Oakland and its Police Department have taken the negotiated settlement agreement very seriously and undertaken a number of steps to improve our systems for accountability and transparency," the statement added. "As part of that resolve, we have to hold officers accountable when they violate the public trust."
The sergeant's first infraction, according to the report, was allegedly leaving the scene of a March 2021 collision he was involved in and failing to report the collision. The sergeant was driving a police vehicle when the collision occurred.
The second infraction involved the alleged accidental firing of a gun in April 2022 in the freight elevator of police headquarters and waiting a week to report that. The sergeant also allegedly removed evidence of the discharge.
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Clarence Dyer and Cohen's report concluded in part that the internal affairs division "sought to recast, deflect, and minimize the severity of the officer's misconduct."
That "created an environment that allowed that officer to go on to commit far more egregious and dangerous misconduct" with the discharge of the weapon in police headquarters.
The report said leaving the scene of the collision amounted to a hit-and-run, yet the internal affairs division found that "that the officer had not violated a departmental rule requiring obedience to laws."
Armstrong at a regular briefing allegedly did not allow "extensive discussion" of the collision or request that a video of it be shown.
Instead, Armstrong quickly approved the recommended finding against the sergeant for being involved in a preventable collision but not for the hit-and-run. Armstrong also signed the report of the investigation without reading it.
On Friday morning, the Oakland Police Commission tweeted a statement that Chair Dr. Tyfahra Milele issued Thursday. The statement noted that the administrative leave for the chief was "not disciplinary" and that the commission would discuss the recent report at its next meeting.
The new alleged case of Oakland police misconduct is triggering strong responses from those who have worked -- in some cases for decades -- to reform the department.
Oakland's new mayor plans to answer questions on Saturday about why she placed the police chief on leave and the future of the department.
Some people inside and outside of the police department questioned if Armstrong might be gone for good.
"It certainly doesn't create any optimism or any motivation for the chief to stay," said Councilman Noel Gallo. "We make mistakes once in a while. And I hope he stays in Oakland as the police chief. But at the same time, give him the support. And certainly, if we need to make changes, then we need to work together to do it."
The Oakland Police Department has been under federal oversight for 20 years. That oversight was set to end in May. Now authorities say it will likely be extended.
"So the attorneys make money and the monitor makes money, and the taxpayers cannot afford to hire police officers," said Councilman Gallo.
No one is downplaying the chief's handling of the misconduct. Some city leaders said it's an example why OPD should not investigate its own officer's misconduct. They believed it should be done by the civilian-led police commission.
Pastor Billy Dixon of At Thy Word Christian Center in Oakland has known Chief Armstrong for decades.
"We go back to childhood, we've been knowing each other since we were kids," said Pastor Dixon.
He has also worked with Armstrong from a professional standpoint on Operation Ceasefire, the city's strategic crime-fighting plan.
"Somebody we've worked with since he was a sergeant. Worked with him as a lieutenant, worked with him as a captain. He has never been in any trouble," said Pastor Dixon.
He said Chief Armstrong is more than just well-liked in the community; he's effective in reducing crime.
"How do we feel? We love him our police chief, we love him," said Pastor Dixon.
He said the latest incident won't hurt their effort to stop gun violence.
"No one man stops the progress of what's going towards Oakland," Pastor Dixon said.
For Carl Chan, Chief Armstrong symbolized stability and support for the Asian American community.
"Especially during the AAPI hate period, since 2021, we were able to work with the chief and the police department to provide us with all the needed resources, and combating crimes," Chan said.
Carl is a longtime Chinatown community leader who appreciated when the chief dedicated an Asian liaison officer to the neighborhood and beefed up patrols.
He says the chief has a good working relationship with diverse communities across Oakland.
"When I talk to the people they are worried because every time, when you see instability, criminals may want to take advantage during this time, committing crimes and -- especially now -- it's going to be Lunar New Year," Chan said.
No matter the outcome, Chan has a message for his community.
"Let's keep supporting our police officers, the men and women in our police department," he said.
