Oakland police commission proposal gathers momentum

Public safety advocates, labor leaders and police watchdog activists are all pushing for an independent police commission in Oakland, calling it the best answer to a recent string of disciplinary cases that have beset the department.

“There is no way that any rational person can say we don’t need a police commission in this city,” said Cat Brooks, co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project watchdog group.

The City Council discussed the police commission proposal earlier Tuesday with members of the Oakland Police Officers’ Association, which has opposed the measure on grounds that it violates its labor contract with the city.

Initially, the union had support from several prominent labor groups, including the Alameda Labor Council, whose leaders opposed an initial draft of the commission proposal that would have eliminated officers’ right to binding arbitration.

Public safety advocates who support Kalb and Gallo’s proposal say it will help Oakland get out from under federal court oversight of the Police Department, stemming from a 2003 misconduct scandal over four officers who allegedly beat residents and planted evidence in West Oakland.

“We have a chance to make Oakland a model of community policing,” said former mayoral candidate Bryan Parker.

The council on Tuesday also voted to place a $600 million infrastructure bond before voters in November, which would fund street and sidewalk improvements, parks, libraries, police services and affordable housing.