By Oakland Coalition for Police Accountability

Why is Governor Newsom attacking the Oakland Police Commission over a pursuit policy that was written by the Oakland Police Department and later amended by ex-Chief LeRonne Armstrong?

The Governor is demanding more police chases in a broader set of circumstances that he appears not to know. Oakland’s pursuit policy says police cannot engage in high-speed chases unless there is a public safety benefit to catching the driver that outweighs the strong possibility of injury resulting from the chase.

The original policy was written and amended by OPD with no input or approval from the Oakland Police Commission.

The original policy was based on national best practices, written and implemented by former Police Chief Sean Whent. In 2022, after two high-speed police chases resulted in the deaths of two bystanders, then-Chief LeRonne Armstrong amended it to our current policy.

Most recently, the Oakland City Council requested the Police Commission review the policy even though it is not in their purview. After a town hall, and a review of research and comparable policies, the Commission supported OPD’s current policy.

The Coalition for Police Accountability (CPA) hears from Oakland residents that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) members misrepresent the policy. In October, police arrived during a business invasion and armed robbery but did not pursue fleeing assailants. This was ascribed to the pursuit policy — although chasing robbers with guns where people were beaten is clearly permissible within the policy.

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Newsom’s insertion of himself into local politics amplifies the misinformation from OPOA and other opponents of police accountability. This deceit also distracts the community from focusing on the important issue of police overtime, a major driver of Oakland’s budget crisis.

Why is OPOA misrepresenting the role of the Police Commission to the public and attacking Armstrong’s policy?

Vilifying the commission is the wrong target, dishonest and reflects their real opposition to oversight and constitutional policing.

OPOA has manufactured this crisis by not following the current policy and signaling to criminals that they will not do their job. OPD does not have a “no chase” policy.

If OPOA is now concerned that criminals believe there is a “no chase” policy, then OPOA only has itself to blame. What other city workers are permitted to publicly misrepresent the city policy that they work under?

CPA stands with the 83% of the Oakland voters who created a civilian police commission. Despite improvements and reductions in the use of excessive force, the Oakland Police Department continues to have scandals and coverups, which is why they remain under federal oversight.

There may be changes to the pursuit policy that are worth considering, but it is harder to have that conversation when the impact and actual policy are being misrepresented.

The Coalition for Police Accountability condemns these disingenuous attacks against the Commission. If the Governor gets his demand for more high-speed chases it will result in more injuries and deaths on our streets.

Should we call these deaths Gavin’s Ghosts?

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