Oakland Plan To Hire Police Consultant Under Fire Over 'Stop And Frisk'
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Emotions ran high at Oakland City Hall on Tuesday night as dozens of people spoke out against a controversial plan to bring a former Los Angeles and New York police chief in to advise Oakland's Police Department.
Many were upset that William Bratton is a supporter of the controversial "stop and frisk" policy, where officers attempt to reduce crime by stopping, questioning and possibly frisking people they deem suspicious.
The group of protesters held a rally at City Hall before packing the council chambers.
Oakland's Plan To Hire William Bratton As Consultant Met With Opposition
Dozens spoke before the Public Safety Committee and said the policy leads to racial profiling.
"How can a city that has just been told in no uncertain terms that it had to bring to an end its racial profiling bring in a man who proposed to do exactly the opposite," said one speaker.
After hours of debate, the Public Safety Committee ultimately backed the proposed contract for Bratton, but with the understanding that his role could be reevaluated.
Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said he supports bringing Bratton in and "stop and frisk" is not an issue in his city.
Oakland Police Chief Letter to Community on 'Stop and Frisk' (.pdf)
"We don't condone and I don't accept any officer that is mistreating our community, regardless of what the circumstances are," Jordan said.
The proposed $250,000 consulting contract will go before the full Oakland City Council next week.
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