Occupy Oakland: 1,127 Complaints Against Oakland Police

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2012

Report on Status of Investigations into Occupy Oakland-Related Demonstrations Released
Chief Jordan upholds high level of accountability for misconduct

Oakland, CA — The Oakland Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division (IAD) today released a report on the status of investigations into Occupy Oakland-related demonstrations. Occupy Oakland has given rise to the largest influx of complaints the Police Department has ever had on one event or series of events. As of October 4, 2012, IAD has received 1,127 complaints, 90% of which came from three specific dates: October 25, 2011 (the first decampment), November 2, 2011 (General Strike) and January 28, 2012 (Move-in Day).

“Immediately following confrontations between protesters and officers on October 25, I promised a full investigation and vowed to hold personnel accountable for their actions where they violated policy,” said Oakland Police Chief Howard A. Jordan. “Today demonstrates that I am keeping that promise. It is my responsibility as Chief of Police to make sure that my officers practice Constitutional policing.”

“The findings of these investigations are not a reflection of the entire department,” he continued. “The vast majority of officers did what they were asked to do, and conducted themselves appropriately. But those officers who did not adhere to policy are being held accountable for their actions. By holding police officers accountable, and by disciplining those who do not meet OPD’s high standards of conduct, we honor those officers who maintain their commitment to Constitutional policing and faithfully adhere to the policies which keep both officers and the public safe.”

The Chief went on to say that during the past year, the Oakland Police Department has facilitated demonstrations involving more than 50,000 people. “We are managing a delicate balance,” he said, “between protecting the first amendment rights of protesters, and protecting life and property when small groups of protesters engage in vandalism and violence. We are a better department that we were a year ago, and we will continue to learn from our mistakes.”

Mayor Quan agreed that the Oakland Police Department has made significant progress in the last year. “Following the October 25 protest, I apologized to the community, because it was clear that we made mistakes. We commissioned an independent review of OPD’s policies and practices, and we have implemented 75% of the recommendations. The positive results of these changes can be seen in fewer complaints with successive demonstrations.”

The Chief noted that the City hired the Frazier Group to conduct a high-level, third-party assessment of the police planning and response to this event, and that his commanders have been implementing the recommendations that came from that analysis. These include significant changes to policies and procedures, as well as providing crowd management training, which has contributed to positive change within the organization.