For Immediate Release: March 19, 2021
OPD NEWS:
Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong Promotes Two Oakland Natives to His Executive Team
Today, Captain Angelica Mendoza was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police and will be assigned to the newly formed Bureau of Risk Management. For the last 25 years, Deputy Chief Mendoza has served the community of Oakland, where she was born and raised. She is the first Latina to be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. Since 2019, Deputy Chief Mendoza has been the Area 4 Commander where she has fostered trusting relationships, especially in the Latinx community. She is fluent in Spanish and incorporates her personal experiences and background to connect with the community.
Manager Kiona Suttle was promoted to Deputy Director of Bureau of Services. In her new position, the Oakland native will become the Department’s first African American Deputy Director and the highest-ranking professional staff member. Director Suttle has served our Oakland community for more than two decades. She has overseen the Department’s Human Resources Section, the Record's Division, served in both Internal Affairs and the Office of Inspector General. Director Suttle has effectively made positive changes in her many roles and brings a vast knowledge of all the critical components within OPD.
Chief Armstrong said, “The new position of the Bureau of Risk Management is key and critical to moving the Department towards full compliance with the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA) and sustainability structure for the future. I realize for all of us here at OPD this requires a culture change within our organization. The role of the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Services is vital to the structure of the organization and is a contributing voice to the direction we take the Oakland Police Department. The team I have assembled is the right team to provide the stability and change the department needs to sustain legitimacy and accountability.”
Chief Armstrong has appointed the most diverse Executive Team in the history of the Oakland Police Department and these promotions reflect his commitment to the Department and the community we serve.
For more information, please contact the Media Relations Office at 510-238-7230