City Government

Mayor Schaaf Accused of Promoting Acting Police Chief Without Notifying Public

Published

8 years ago

August 19, 2016

Concerns are being raised that Mayor Libby Schaaf has promoted Oakland Police Department (OPD) Acting Assistant Chief David Downing to a position as permanent Assistant Police Chief, without informing the public or the City Council.

In addition, the Post has received reports that Downing – who is white – is promoting white officers to command positions and delaying or halting promotions of Black officers.

Some are saying Downing’s promotion a serious failure of Mayor Schaaf to live up to her commitment to transparency.

“My concern is that the mayor did not notify the council or the public of the appointment, when all of her other police appointees had been made so publically,” said Councilmember Desley Brooks, who heads the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Sources have told the Post that promotions of Black officers and other officers of color have been stopped or put on hold – while white officers who are part of the old guard – some with a history of racial insensitivity – are being promoted to command positions.

The Mayor’s Office had originally stated that Downing would be in the acting position for only six months. As assistant police chief, Downing serves as police chief until the new chief is hired.

Downing was alleged in recent media report to have used “racially insensitive language” in internal police meetings several years ago, advocating for the use of water cannons and water hoses on protesters.

An Oakland police source told KRON4 “that they were in a meeting when they heard Downing advocate for using water cannons against protesters and that the then-deputy chief Downing seemed oblivious to the racial overtones.”

Further, Mother Jones reports that Downing was asked to leave his previous position with the Concord, CA police department because he clashed with colleagues, exhibiting a “military style of leadership.”

In response to questions to the Mayor’s Office, the Post received a reply from the City Administrator’s Office.

“Acting Assistant Chief David Downing is in the role of Assistant Chief until a permanent or interim leader is named for the Oakland Police Department,” the statement said.

“At that time the new head of the department will determine who will serve on the command staff. The City of Oakland adheres to federal, state and local laws that prohibit discrimination in hiring and promotion practices.”

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

14 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.