CITY OF OAKLAND, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
PRESS RELEASE:
August 30, 2023
OAKLAND’S OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RELEASES 2022-2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Oakland, CA – This morning, the City of Oakland’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its 2022-2023 Annual Report. Although the city’s newest department, the OIG has already made major strides in advancing the community’s call to establish effective accountability measures for the Oakland Police Department (OPD). This report details the activities of the OIG, over the past fiscal year, including but not limited to the following:
- Reports of Review Public Synopsis – The OIG found that the Community Police Review Agency and OPD’s Internal Affairs Division were sharing draft investigative reports, prior to the conclusion their parallel investigations. The OIG recommended that this practice immediately cease to ensure the independence of each office’s investigative process.
- Mediation Program Public Synopsis – Following an inquiry from a community member looking to civilly remedy their dispute with an OPD officer, the OIG released this report encouraging the timely and intentional implementation of OPD’s mandated mediation program.
- Budget Progression – Within the last fiscal year, the OIG’s budget, and resources more than quadrupled in size. Most notably, the office went from an allocation of two full-time permanent positions to eight.
- Community Education & Engagement –The OIG has steadily increased its visibility and reach with communities most impacted by police misconduct. Utilizing digital and in-person engagement strategies, the office has not only educated community members of its work but the entire civilian oversight structure in Oakland.
When reflecting upon the Annual Report, Inspector General Michelle N. Phillips noted, “I am extremely proud of what the Office of the Inspector General has been able to accomplish over the past year and a half. Going from a staff of one, with little resources, to a small yet mighty team of public servants – dedicated to providing effective civilian oversight of OPD – is an amazing feat. I look forward to OIG building upon this momentum and continuing to carry out its mandate on behalf of the community.”
###
In 2020, over 81% of Oakland voters passed Measure S1 to strengthen the city’s police reform efforts. This measure established the Office of the Inspector General as an independent civilian oversight agency, tasked with auditing the Oakland Police Department and the Community Police Review Agency. Via fair and thorough assessments of OPD & CPRA’s compliance with departmental policies, the OIG continues to deliver on its mission to assist with police accountability, enhance community trust, and increase transparency.