The ongoing saga of police reform in Oakland is set to re-enter federal court, as city lawyers assert that the Oakland Police Department (OPD) is ready to operate independently after nearly 23 years under judicial oversight. However, civil rights attorneys argue that significant reforms remain incomplete. The central issue in the upcoming case-management hearing involves the measurement of compliance, the speed of internal affairs investigations, and the fairness of officer discipline.
City Attorneys Advocate for Independence
In a recent legal filing, Oakland’s city attorneys claimed that the OPD has evolved into a “model of constitutional policing.” They argue that the department is “prepared to continue its transformation absent further court oversight,” as reported by Oaklandside. The filing emphasizes that the city has implemented department-wide interventions aimed at addressing racial disparities and contends that OPD is now in “substantial compliance” with the discipline-related provisions outlined in the original settlement agreement.
Plaintiffs Challenge Progress Claims
Contrasting the city’s assertions, civil rights attorneys John Burris and Jim Chanin maintain that the OPD remains out of compliance with several key reforms. In their pre-hearing submission, they emphasized that oversight “cannot draw to a close.” They and various community advocates point to ongoing issues within internal affairs, highlighting that only about 64% of serious investigations were completed within the 180-day target set by the Negotiated Settlement Agreement. This data serves as a basis for their argument that federal supervision should continue.
The primary contention centers on three critical reform tasks: Task 2, which focuses on the timeliness of internal investigations; Task 5, which evaluates the quality of those investigations; and Task 45, concerning the consistency of officer discipline. According to monitoring reports, there have been inconsistencies in performance and withheld findings, complicating any claims of full compliance. City attorneys assert that OPD likely reached the 85% completion mark for Class I investigations late in 2025, yet plaintiffs and monitors argue that systemic issues still persist.
Leadership Changes Raise Concerns
The recent turnover in leadership adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Chief Floyd Mitchell, who took command of the OPD in May 2024, resigned at the end of last year after approximately 18 months in the role. An interim command staff is currently overseeing the department. Mitchell’s departure, combined with previous failures to adequately handle high-profile internal cases, has raised doubts about the sustainability of the reforms being implemented.
City officials assert that the interim leadership is proactively addressing these challenges. However, civil rights attorneys and the monitor are calling for clearer and more verifiable improvements before the judge considers the possibility of reducing court oversight.
Legal Implications of Compliance
The legal ramifications of this case extend far beyond the courtroom. Under California’s Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act, police departments have one year from the discovery of potential misconduct to complete investigations and notify officers of any proposed discipline. Failure to meet this deadline could bar disciplinary action unless specific exceptions apply.
The presiding judge may decide to implement a one-year “sustainability” period to evaluate whether the OPD can maintain its reforms. If leadership issues continue, the judge might consider more stringent remedies, including the possibility of receivership, as suggested by civil rights attorneys.
The upcoming hearing will involve a thorough examination of the city’s filings, the objections raised by the plaintiffs, and the latest reports from the monitor. Key topics of discussion will include data regarding investigation timing, the quality of those investigations, and recent organizational changes within Internal Affairs. Advocates on both sides recognize that this session could be pivotal in determining whether federal oversight will conclude or intensify.
As the hearing approaches, the stakes are high for both the city and the community as they navigate the complexities of police reform and accountability in Oakland.
