Wilson Riles

Wilson Riles is a Selection Panel Appointee. His term ends on October 16, 2026.

Commissioner Wilson Riles is a former Oakland councilman who served the city from 1979 to 1992. He also ran for mayor three times.

Recently, he settled a federal lawsuit for $360,000 in which he claimed that Oakland’s city staff and police officers racially discriminated against him and used excessive force when he was arrested three years ago. 

Riles plans to use the settlement money to lobby for changes in laws and codes in Oakland and to improve police sensitivity. However, he expressed that the settlement doesn’t fully address the underlying issues, as the city is not admitting wrongdoing or committing to retraining its officers. The original complaint about the sweat lodge has been dropped. Wilson Riles Jr. has been an advocate for change, and this recent settlement is another step in his ongoing efforts.