Anne E. Kirkpatrick Sworn in as City of Oakland’s Permanent Chief of Police
Oakland, CA – Today, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf swore in Anne E. Kirkpatrick as Oakland’s new permanent Chief of Police.
One of the most tenured police chiefs in the country, Chief Kirkpatrick is a 34-year veteran law enforcement leader who previously served the people of the state of Washington as Chief of Police for the cities of Spokane, Federal Way and Ellensburg over 15 years of her career. Chief Kirkpatrick comes to the City of Oakland from Chicago, Illinois where she was tapped by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel to lead the Chicago Police Department’s reform efforts.
Members of the Oakland community, local elected officials and City of Oakland staff, including City Administrator Sabrina Landreth to whom Chief Kirkpatrick will report, were on hand for the ceremony at Oakland City Hall.
Prior to administering the oath of office, Mayor Schaaf spoke of the reasons for selecting Chief Kirkpatrick who is also Oakland’s first female chief of police.
“We chose you for your experience –both as a chief and in the skills that matter to Oaklanders, like procedural justice and implicit bias,” Mayor Libby Schaaf said during the ceremony which aired live on Oakland’s public access station KTOP (Comcast Channel 10). “We chose you for your character –leading by example and being unafraid to hold others accountable for the most ethical conduct. We chose you for your wisdom and vision. Today begins your opportunity to build on Oakland's positive momentum in both safety and reforms with the support of a dedicated workforce and hopeful community.”
Selected from a pool of more than 30 candidates, Chief Kirkpatrick’s appointment was first announced on January 4, 2017.
At the swearing-in ceremony the Rev. Dr. George Cummings, Sr. Minister of Imani Community Church in Oakland, gave the invocation. Pastor Cummings was one of three community members selected by Mayor Schaaf to be part of the search committee that reviewed candidates.
“Anne Kirkpatrick brings exceptional experience and stable leadership to the Oakland Police Department, and I am delighted to welcome her to Oakland,” said City Administrator Sabrina Landreth.
Chief Kirkpatrick is an attorney and also holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Memphis in 1984 and her Juris Doctorate in 1989 from Seattle University Law School. She has a BA in business administration from King College earned in 1982.
During her remarks, Chief Kirkpatrick thanked the Oakland community for selecting her to lead the department at this time. “We have a clear north star,” said Chief Anne E. Kirkpatrick. “Our goal is to make Oakland safe and to be a model for policing in America.”
###
ABOUT OAKLAND POLICE CHIEF ANNE E. KIRKPATRICK
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Chief Anne E. Kirkpatrick is a 34-year veteran law enforcement leader. In her words, she comes to Oakland because her goal is “to lead an agency that wants to be transformed, and OPD meets that profile.”
Chief Kirkpatrick began her career in law enforcement with the Memphis Police Department in 1982. She went on to earn the rank of sergeant with the Redmond (Washington) Police Department, where she also served as Assistant Commander for the State Law Enforcement Academy and was a criminal procedure instructor and tactical officer. Concurrently, she attended and completed night law school.
Chief Kirkpatrick served as Chief of Police for the Washington cities of Spokane, Federal Way and Ellensburg over 15 years of her career. She also held the post of Chief Deputy (Undersheriff) in King County, Washington.
Most recently, she joined the Chicago Police Department as Chief of the Bureau of Organizational Development. Kirkpatrick was responsible for the Chicago Police Academy and all police training, Policy and Research Development, and the Integrity and Stop Data sections.
Chief Kirkpatrick holds a BA in business administration, a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University Law School. She is a graduate of the three top leadership schools of the FBI: The FBI National Academy, The FBI National Executive Institute, and the FBI's Law Enforcement Executive Development School. She has conducted trainings nationally on the topics of Procedural Justice, Implicit Bias and Executive Leadership.
Media Contact:
Erica Terry Derryck
(510) 238-7072