Federal judge ends 23-year oversight of Oakland police department

A federal judge has ended 23 years of federal monitoring of the Oakland Police Department, concluding the longest-running oversight of a police department in US history. Judge William Orrick said the department had achieved substantial compliance with reforms imposed after a case involving officers accused of abuse of power. The department had been required to report its progress to an outside monitor and the court since 2003.

The case followed allegations against four officers known as the Oakland “Riders”. They were accused of making false arrests, planting evidence, using excessive force, falsifying reports and assaulting people in west Oakland. Three were acquitted after two juries deadlocked on most charges, while the fourth officer is believed to have fled the country.

A federal monitor reported in May that the department had complied with all 51 court-mandated reforms. Orrick said the achievement marked significant progress, while cautioning that it was not a declaration that all problems had ended. The decision came despite concerns over the department’s recent performance.

A monitor’s progress report found that the police had again fallen below the required threshold for completing serious misconduct investigations within 180 days. Plaintiff attorneys said the department had completed fewer than 85% of those investigations on time, but did not oppose ending federal oversight. Chief James Beere said many of the cases were complex officer-involved shootings and acknowledged that the department had slipped.

The police union called the decision an important new beginning and said attention should turn to recruitment, staffing and resources. Civil rights attorney John Burris said the key question was whether the reforms would endure. Local groups called for stronger civilian oversight, transparency and accountability through Oakland’s Police Commission.

The commission was established by voters in 2016.