Oakland, CA – Today, Mayor Libby Schaaf announced that the City of Oakland has
secured a nearly $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
“Making Oakland the safe community it deserves to be is my top priority,” said
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “The federal COPS Office grant of nearly $ 1.9 million
awarded to Oakland will enable us to continue building a modern, progressive police
force with the staffing resources to equitably serve all Oaklanders.”
Oakland’s grant of $1.875 million will allow the City to continue its efforts to
modernize and fully staff the Oakland Police Department in keeping with Mayor
Schaaf’s goal of reaching a force of 800 sworn officers by the end of her term.
Mayor’s Schaaf’s recent budget proposal approved by the City County in June 2015
has already authorized 40 additional sworn officers bringing the City’s current total to
762.
The City of Oakland has been working to adopt and implement the practices and
policies outlined in the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The Oakland
Police Department has been recognized by the Department of Justice for its embrace
of the Task Force recommendations.
COPS Director Ron Davis was in Oakland on September 3, 2015 to present on the
findings of the Task Force report and participate in a panel discussion as part of
Mayor Schaaf’s Safe Oakland Speaker Series. During the event, he commended the
Oakland Police Department adopting data retention and review policies and practices,
as well as the adoption of a number of innovative training programs created and
taught with community support.
As a result of these efforts, instances of use of force by the Oakland Police
Department dropped 70% over the last 4 years and complaints against officers also
dropped 60% since 2012.
Under Mayor Schaaf’s leadership the City of Oakland has also committed to attracting
more Oakland residents to serve the community as police officers. To that end, Mayor
Schaaf has partnered with Merritt College to provide courses that will prepare
students to meet the requirements for the Oakland Police Academy.
This new COPS grant will allow Oakland to continue adopting the recommendations,
promoting effective crime reduction, and building the public trust that will allow the
Oakland Police Department to better serve all Oaklanders.
Media Contact:
Erica Terry Derryck
(510) 238-7072
ederryck@oaklandca.gov