Crime is a major issue that must be solved in the city of Oakland, yet the city cannot provide the leadership for an effective police department. The latest political kickball involving the police is in the budget crisis.
Oakland is facing a huge budget deficit, nearly $100 million, that must be closed by June 30, 2009. The Mayor and his City Administrator Dan Lindhiem
proposed budget solution included laying off 249 city workers, shutting down city offices and libraries, park maintenance, and increasing park, recreation and parking fees.The most surprising aspect was to lay off 140 police officers. Many people see the huge police layoff as a emergency move in order for the city to qualify for a federal police assistance grant. If the city can make its police services look so desperate the federal government will grant the city up to $23 million; the worse the situation, the more money.
However, this political game does nothing to address the fears of Oakland residents and provide any type of security to our city. Scaring Oakland residents may get more money from the feds but it will cause permanent damage to the feeling of security in our city.
The leadership hole is in the top of the department. As you recall, Chief Wayne Tucker resigned in January and the Mayor’s office promised an extensive search for a new chief. The City Administrator has finally started the process to find a new police chief. Now, in May, he announces that they have hired a consultant being paid almost $300,000.00 to find a new chief for the city. Note , no public input or discussion of the qualifications, policies, direction or anything regarding the job. This important decision should not be made by a bureaucrat and a small group in a vacuum.
It must be disheartening for police officers who risk their lives everyday to protect the citizens of Oakland to have such a chaotic, unfocused management. The problem with the department appears to start from the lack of civilian leadership and the department management team. The police department is filled with dedicated officers who perform their jobs daily. It appears that there is a vacuum of leadership at the top. In order to have a better city, we need better leadership.
Until the Mayor and City Council can provide better leadership and direction to the department, citizens of Oakland will be very reluctant to support the layoff of 140 officers, reduction of police services and an increase in city taxes.
So, during this search for police officers, it is vitally important that there be a public discussion of the type of chief needed for this city. This cannot be a single and isolated, bureaucratic decision-making process. It must include the citizens, neighborhood associations, professional law enforcement, businesses, and all others who are impacted by police services or the lack thereof. To make this decision in a vacuum without public input will continue the disaster of crime fighting in our city.
Clinton Killian is an attorney in downtown Oakland, an Oakland resident, a former Oakland Planning Commissioner. He can be reached at: (510) 625-8823 or clintonkillian@yahoo.com.