Statement of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Response To Mayor Thao's Paid Leave Action

Statement of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Response To Mayor Thao's Paid Leave Action
Statement of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Response To Mayor Thao's Paid Leave Action Statement of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong 1.23.23 I deserve to be reinstated as Chief of Police immediately by the City of Oakland. It is a matter of justice, due process, and fairness. It is also an issue of justice and fairness for the people and community of Oakland to have me at helm of the police department to protect public safety and provide leadership and stability to our officers. I want the public to know I followed all policies, protocols, and procedures in the two incidents that are detailed in the recently-released summary report. In the first incident, where an officer hit and damaged a parked vehicle in a garage, we took action against that officer and disciplined him. In the second incident—in which the same officer discharged his weapon in an elevator—OPD had begun an investigation following every policy and procedure. We had begun both administrative and criminal investigations when the officer admitted to us that he was responsible for discharging the firearm. I placed that officer on administrative leave one day after his admission. But neither the department—nor myself as Chief—ever had the opportunity to take full and appropriate disciplinary action against the officer because the Federal Monitor Robert Warshaw took the investigation out of my hands so that he could handle it himself. Therefore, the ability to discipline that officer and engage in due process was never afforded to me or OPD. I believe that I am in this position because Federal Monitor Robert Warshaw acted in his own clear self-interest. He did not act appropriately nor honestly in his role as Monitor. Instead, as Oakland neared the end of its monitorship after demonstrating sustained compliance under my leadership as Chief, Mr. Warshaw acted in the interest of his own pocketbook by manufacturing a false crisis to justify extending his lucrative monitoring contract. I should be reinstated immediately in the interests of justice, due process, and the safety and well-being being of Oakland community members and police officers. Stay tuned.
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