Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf has selected retired San Mateo police chief Susan Manheimer to serve as interim head of the Oakland Police Department, filling the position of Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, who Schaaf fired a month ago.

Manheimer retired last year as chief of the San Mateo department after nearly 20 years. Prior to serving in San Mateo, she worked for many years in the San Francisco Police Department, rising through the ranks to become captain at the Tenderloin station.

Manheimer is expected to start her new job on April 6 and will hold the position as interim chief for at least six months.

“During an unprecedented response to COVID-19, and when Oakland residents rely on our dedicated public servants more than ever, I deeply appreciate Chief Manheimer for adding to our leadership bandwidth in this moment,” Mayor Schaaf said in a statement.

Manheimer said she looks forward to working in Oakland.

“My 35 years in Bay Area law enforcement have given me an abiding respect for the OPD and its unwavering commitment to the City of Oakland,” she said. “I welcome the opportunity to stand with these fine men and women and work with all Oakland stakeholders to ensure the safety of this community as we navigate these unprecedented times.”

According to the SF Chronicle, a city official said that before Mayor Schaaf made her decision, she consulted with the Regina Jackson, Police Commission Chair;  Robert Warshaw, OPD’s federal court-appointed monitor; and John Burris and Jim Chanin, attorney’s involved in the ongoing federal court oversight of the police department.

Manheimer will earn $299,078.04 per year, or $24,923.17 per month, according to reports.

Though her position will last six months, it can be extended to a year with the approval of the Police Commission and the mayor.

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