Crime

Mayor, City Administrator, City Council Still Failing to Implement “Fair and Consistent” Police Discipline

Published

10 years ago

January 28, 2016

Federal Judge Thelton Henderson, who has been overseeing the Oakland Police Department (OPD) for almost a dozen years, has issued a new order reinstating a “court investigator” to look into the city’s failure to institute meaningful discipline of police officers who violate the rights of local residents.

In a three-page ruling issued on Tuesday, Judge Henderson said he originally had ordered the city to hire an investigator in April to look into the city’s handling of police discipline.

“There are many steps (OPD) and the city can take to improve the manner in which discipline cases are prepared both internally and for arbitration,” he said in April. “It is difficult to imagine how, absent these steps, the goals of accountability and fair and consistent discipline will ever be achieved.”

Based on the investigators report, the court ordered the city to file a report last September, as well as quarterly reports on the city’s progress on improving its disciplinary system.

In his order this week, Henderson said the city is saying the court investigator’s recommendations have been implemented and that the remaining recommendations are scheduled for implementation.

“However, in many instances, the descriptions of the steps the city has taken do not reflect full and sustainable implementation,” Henderson said.

“Most concerning is that the city apparently believes that having the mayor and city administrator attend parties’ meetings in this case, and having the mayor and City Council receive updates on the city’s compliance efforts, are sufficient to satisfy the recommendation that the city establish sustainable accountability procedures that will outlive this litigation,” he said. “This response falls far short of the accountability that is so fundamental to this case.”

Henderson pointed to one case that the city described as a “victory” although the discipline in that case had been reduced from termination to a 30-day suspension – “a reversal that resulted in the reinstatement of an officer whom the city believes is unfit to police its community.”

“While the City expressed disappointment in the outcome, it has not identified any steps it has taken to try to avoid similar outcomes in the future,” the judge said.

“(Though) The majority of the [internal affairs] cases we reviewed comported with NSA requirements and OPD policy, the exceptions noted in our relatively small sample should serve as a caution against complacency, he said, pointing to case where “a supervisor involved in the incident conducted the investigation.”

The re-appointed court investigator will file a report on his findings and recommendations or before March 7.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

3 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com