San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Oakland’s police chief expresses optimism
When Mayor Libby Schaaf swore in Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong in February, she said he had “the hardest job in America” as he faced escalating homicides amid a fierce debate about how to stop the violence.
Now, more than six months into the job, Armstrong candidly described his role as the city’s top cop as “tough.”
The city continues to face an unrelenting pandemic, a record number of homicides and calls for reform to a department that remains under federal oversight.
“Six months in Oakland is probably like two years in other cities,” he said.
Still, Armstrong said in a recent interview there is reason for hope as he laid out his accomplishments over the past six months: creating a violent crime operations center, working with the police commission on new reforms and appointing community liaisons to Chinatown and the Fruitvale district. Armstrong said he’s proud of his accomplishments despite the challenges.
“I’m happy about all the great things we’ve been able to do,” Armstrong said. “We haven’t
stood still.”
Armstrong was appointed in February after Interim Chief Susan Manheimer retired. Manheimer took over after the police commission fired Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. City leaders hoped he would bring stability to a department that had gone through 11 police chiefs in 21 years. Four took and left the job within the span of nine days in 2016.
When Armstrong took the helm, the city was already grappling with a record number of homicides: 15 compared to just one at that time the year before. Today, the city has seen 80 homicides compared to 59 the year before. Armstrong — who was previously deputy chief —promised to be a visible leader who would push for a safer city — a vow that he has doubled down on as homicides continue to grow and with a looming September court date to discuss the department’s reforms.
The Oakland Police Department has been under a court-mandated federal monitor for nearly 20 years after the “Riders” scandal in 2003, when a group of rogue officers were accused of beating and framing Oakland citizens of crimes.
Armstrong’s efforts come as tension among city leaders intensifies over how to handle violent crime in Oakland.
But despite differences over how to invest resources, city leaders are fairly united in backing Armstrong.
“Chief Armstrong is the right chief, at the right time under all the worst circumstances,” said Regina Jackson, the chair of the police commission. “I absolutely believe in him, and he has already shown us that he is not just going to sit idly by.”
Armstrong said he tries to show up in person to every homicide in the city. In July, he organized a rally at Lake Merritt to denounce violence.
“We can all unify behind a common goal of having a safe Oakland,” said Armstrong, who’s worked for the department for more than 20 years. “There is nothing more important than saving lives. We have to stop this violence.”
Antoine Towers, an unofficial violence interrupter in West Oakland, was at that rally. Towers said the families he works with in his neighborhood want accountability from perpetrators of serious crimes.
But Towers said many residents distrust the police, which often makes it hard for the police chief to get community buy-in, though Armstrong gets “a lot of community support” because he’s an Oakland native. Armstrong, who was born in West Oakland, was 13 when his brother was shot and killed.
“The police chief, at the end of the day, he is a Black man that is suffering from community violence like the rest of us,” Towers said. “He’s coming from a place of — ‘This is my home.’ ”
In June, Armstrong criticized the City Council for redirecting more than $17 million from the mayor’s proposed police budget to fund the Department of Violence Prevention. He said the budget vote means the department has less resources at a time when the city needs it the most — fewer officers will be on the streets and response to 911 calls will be delayed. The department had 706 sworn personnel as of the end of July. The City Council’s move was an effort to address violence in a more holistic way by addressing its root causes, officials said.
Armstrong said he hopes to work with the council to hire more officers. Schaaf also said she’s “not happy” with the City Council’s decision to not allocate more funds to the Police Department, but she is confident Armstrong will “build trust with the City Council that this is a reformed department worth investing in.”
Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, whose budget amendments redirected funds from the mayor’s proposed budget, said she remains confident in the chief. She added that the city must approach violence as a “public health crisis” — one that requires a comprehensive strategy during a pandemic that has threatened stability for many residents.
“This is a really challenging time not only for the police, but for the entire community,” Bas said. “More than ever that context really demands that all of us leaders work together. ”
Some advocates aren’t thrilled with Armstrong’s message.
George Galvis, the co-founder and executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice in Oakland, said he was disappointed by the chief ’s comments regarding the police budget. Galvis, whose organization focuses on violence prevention, said it’s important for the city to invest in social services and job training programs to bolster public safety.
“I don’t know if he’s the chief or if Mayor Libby Schaaf is the chief,” Galvis said. “If the metric is to do the mayor’s bidding then I imagine he gets an A plus.”
Galvis said the chief should know that “we can’t police our way to safety.”
Armstrong said his efforts over the past six months include creating a violent crime operation center that moved all the five units of eight officers each, 40 officers total, under one command system to respond specifically to homicides and shootings. The city was previously divided into five geographic areas. Now, all the units operate together and move wherever crime occurs to make arrests and investigate, Armstrong said.
In addition, Armstrong said he’s been working with the police commission on a new use-of-force policy that prioritizes de-escalation, which he calls “one of the most progressive policies in the country.” He said the department has focused its internal training on de-escalation. A new policy on how to respond to armed and unresponsive people would also give time and space before escalating the situation.
He’s also trying to build trust with communities. Armstrong appointed two new liaisons to work with non-English speaking communities in Chinatown and in the Fruitvale neighborhood to help residents report crime.
Council Member Loren Taylor, who generally supports more resources for police since his district has been hard hit by violence, said expectations around public safety are high. Taylor noted that Armstrong faces an “uphill climb” to improve the city, but said Armstrong has a shot at making progress.
“If anyone can be successful, it’s somebody like Chief Armstrong who comes from the community and knows exactly what the challenges are,” he said.