The OPC is an independent, community-centric, civilian oversight body that serves as a national leader in police reform and model of constitutional policing.

OPC fulfills its duties under Measures LL & S1 to provide police oversight by employing bold, innovative and informed strategies to develop policies and practices in the pursuit of justice for the citizens of Oakland.

Our primary strategies include:

• Preventing police misconduct
• Ensuring fair and equitable accountability in disciplinary processes
• Changing the culture of the Oakland Police Department
• Building strong police-community relations

Promoting mental health and wellness in the Oakland Police Department

Core Values

• RESPECT and COURTESY to create space for honest conversations and foster greater participation.

   

• EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING utilizing quantitative and qualitative data before making decisions that may impact public safety.

   

• IMPACT-ORIENTATION to achieve equitable public safety goals.

   

• TEAMWORK to increase productivity and work together toward a common goal.

   

• RACIAL EQUITY to empower disproportionately impacted populations in black and brown communities.

Oakland has a long and painful history of police misconduct, most infamously exposed during the Riders scandal in the early 2000s. A group of officers was found to have engaged in egregious abuses—falsifying reports, planting evidence, and using excessive force, primarily against young Black men. The fallout led to more than 100 civil rights lawsuits and placed the Oakland Police Department (OPD) under a federal court-monitored consent decree that remains in effect to this day—making it one of the longest-running oversight arrangements in U.S. history.

This legacy reminds us that oversight is not an option—it is a necessity.

Oversight ensures that power is not abused behind closed doors. It is a structural commitment to accountability, transparency, and justice. In cities like Oakland, where communities have suffered from racialized policing and broken trust, there is no such thing as “too much oversight”—only too little protection when systems are allowed to self-police.

Oversight is not about bureaucracy; it's about prevention. It is the difference between a system that responds only after harm has been done, and one that protects people before harm occurs.

The NSA is a federal court-ordered reform agreement established in 2003 between the City of Oakland and plaintiffs in a civil rights lawsuit (Delphine Allen v. City of Oakland). It was created to address widespread misconduct and civil rights violations by OPD officers, particularly in the early 2000s.

Why Was It Created?

The NSA was a result of a lawsuit following the “Oakland Riders” scandal, in which a group of OPD officers were accused of:

• Falsifying police reports

• Planting evidence

• Excessive force

• Abusing citizens’ civil rights

This agreement was part of a settlement to avoid a trial, and it mandated sweeping reforms to improve oversight, accountability, and constitutional policing practices within OPD.

What Does the NSA Require?

The NSA outlines 52 reform tasks, which include:

• Use of force policies

• Racial profiling data collection and analysis

• Internal affairs investigations

• Supervisory oversight

• Officer discipline processes

• Community policing standards

• Transparent reporting and auditing

Click here to see the OPD tasks and subtasks list.(PDF, 263KB)

Who Oversees the NSA?

• The Independent Monitor (currently Robert Warshaw) is appointed by the federal court to assess OPD’s compliance.

• The Federal District Court Judge (currently Judge William H. Orrick) oversees the agreement.

• The City of Oakland, OPD leadership, the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA), and the Police Commission are key internal stakeholders.

Current Status (as of 2025)

• OPD has been under federal oversight for over 20 years.

• While many tasks have been completed, a few key tasks remain in partial or non-compliance, especially those related to accountability, use of force reviews, and discipline consistency.

• The City and OPD remain under federal jurisdiction until full and sustained compliance is met for at least one year.

What is the CMC? 

A Case Management Conference (CMC) is a court proceeding to review the status of a case. In the context of the NSA, CMCs are periodic check-ins where a federal judge assesses OPD’s progress on the required reforms and addresses any concerns raised by the court, monitor, or city stakeholders.

What is the Police Commission's CMC Statement? 

The Police Commission’s CMC Statement is a formal written submission provided by the Oakland Police Commission to the federal court ahead of or in connection with a Case Management Conference (CMC) regarding the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA).

Oakland Police Commission (OPC) CMC Statement(PDF, 372KB)

Submitted to the Oakland City Attorney’s Office (OCA) on July 2, 2025, for inclusion in the Joint Statement for the July 10, 2025 Case Management Conference (CMC).

City of Oakland Joint Statement(PDF, 1MB)

Submitted by the Oakland City Attorney’s Office (OCA) to Judge Orrick III on July 3, 2025, for the July 10, 2025 Case Management Conference (CMC).

City of Oakland Joint Statement Exhibit 1 (revised)(PDF, 879KB)

Submitted by the Oakland City Attorney’s Office (OCA) on July 3, 2025, as part of the Joint Statement for the July 10, 2025 Case Management Conference (CMC).

City of Oakland Joint Statement Exhibit 2-5(PDF, 8MB)

Submitted by the Oakland City Attorney’s Office (OCA) on July 3, 2025, as part of the Joint Statement for the July 10, 2025 Case Management Conference (CMC), including the Oakland Police Commission’s statement.

 Coalition-for-Police-Accountability-Statement(PDF, 1MB)  

Submitted as an Additional Statement to the Court

Letter from the Prescott Neighborhood Council (PNC)(PDF, 200KB)

Submitted as an Additional Statement to the Court

Oversight Structure in Oakland

The City of Oakland has established a layered and independent civilian oversight system to monitor police conduct, ensure accountability, and promote public trust. Three main bodies work together to fulfill this mission:

1. Oakland Police Commission (OPC)

The Oakland Police Commission is a civilian-led body responsible for overseeing the policies, practices, and disciplinary systems of the Oakland Police Department. The Commission has the authority to review and recommend changes to OPD policies, and to make final disciplinary recommendations when there is a disagreement between the Chief of Police and the investigative agency. Its work is guided by the City Charter and the expectations of the Oakland community.

The Commission is composed of seven regular members and two alternates, as established by Oakland City Charter Section 604. Of these, one regular and one alternate commissioner are appointed by the Mayor, while the remaining six regular and one alternate commissioner are selected by an independent Selection Panel. All commissioners must be Oakland residents and serve in a volunteer capacity.

2. Community Police Review Agency (CPRA)

The CPRA serves as the independent investigative arm of the Commission. It receives and investigates public complaints involving police conduct, including use of force, racial profiling, First Amendment violations, and other potential misconduct. CPRA may recommend disciplinary action and works independently of OPD’s internal affairs system.

3. Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

The OIG is responsible for auditing and reviewing the performance of both OPD and CPRA. It conducts regular audits, evaluates whether investigations and internal processes meet established standards, and identifies areas for improvement. The OIG helps ensure transparency, consistency, and systemic accountability throughout the oversight process.

Working Together

Each body plays a distinct role but functions collaboratively:

• CPRA investigates misconduct.

• The Chief of Police reviews those findings and may concur or disagree.

• If there is disagreement, the Police Commission’s Discipline Committee makes a final disciplinary recommendation.

• The OIG reviews the integrity of investigations, audits policy adherence, and reports findings to the Commission and the public.

Together, these entities form a robust system of civilian oversight—one designed to protect the public, elevate transparency, and support fair, constitutional policing in Oakland.

OPC Discipline Committee Process: Step-by-Step

When there is a disagreement between the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) and the Chief of Police regarding proposed discipline for a misconduct case, the matter is escalated to the Oakland Police Commission’s Discipline Committee. The following steps outline how that process unfolds:

1. Case Investigation and Findings

• CPRA conducts an independent investigation into a complaint of police misconduct.

• If CPRA concludes that disciplinary action may be appropriate, they discuss their findings and proposed outcome with the Chief of Police.

2. Chief Review and Response

• The Chief of Police reviews the case and may agree or disagree with CPRA’s conclusions and proposed discipline.

• If the Chief agrees, discipline is imposed accordingly.

• If the Chief disagrees—either with the findings, the level of discipline, or both—the matter moves forward for further review.

3. Referral to the Discipline Committee

• When CPRA and the Chief are not aligned on how the case should be resolved, the disagreement is referred to the Police Commission’s Discipline Committee, a subcommittee of the full Commission.

• The Committee receives all relevant materials, including the investigative file, both positions on discipline, and supporting rationale.

4. Committee Review Meetings

• The Discipline Committee holds a closed-session meeting to:

  • Review the investigative findings and discipline proposals

  • Hear presentations or input from CPRA, OPD, and the City Attorney’s Office

  • Ask questions, request clarifications, or review additional documentation as needed

5. Deliberation and Determination

• After careful review, the Committee determines whether to:

  • Support CPRA’s recommendation

  • Support the Chief’s position

  • Propose an alternative outcome

  • Or, in some cases, decide that no recommendation will be made due to conflicting or insufficient evidence

6. Final Recommendation

• The Committee’s decision becomes the final disciplinary recommendation under the City Charter.

• This outcome is communicated to both CPRA and OPD for implementation or further internal processing.

This process was created to ensure fairness, accountability, and independence in police discipline matters. It prevents any one entity from having unilateral authority and reinforces the City of Oakland’s commitment to transparent and balanced civilian oversight.

When the OPC is the Right Choice:

If you are filing a police misconduct complaint

If you want to challenge OPD policies on discipline, use of force, or officer accountability

If you believe OPD officers engaged in misconduct, racial profiling, or excessive force

When the OPC May Not Be the Right Choice:

Crime Prevention & Public Safety Policies → If your concern is about overall crime rates, community safety programs, or emergency response, the City of Oakland Public Safety Committee (City Council) is the better venue.

OPD Staffing, Budgets & Policy Decisions → The Police Commission does not control police funding or staffing levels—these are decided by the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.

General Public Safety Concerns → If your issue is about fire safety, emergency services, or crime prevention programs, the City Council Public Safety Committee handles those, not OPC.

Immediate Police Response Issues → If you're reporting a crime in progress or have concerns about OPD’s patrol response, you should contact OPD directly or bring concerns to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee if they are about systemic issues.

The OPC ensures police accountability, but broader public safety issues should be directed to the City Council Public Safety Committee.

FAQ: City of Oakland (City Council) Public Safety Committee vs. Oakland Police Commission

Police Commissioners in the City of Oakland are chosen through two distinct processes:

• Selection Panel Appointments: The majority of commissioners are appointed by the City of Oakland’s independent Selection Panel.

• Mayoral Appointments: A smaller number of commissioners are appointed directly by the Mayor’s Office.

If you are interested in serving on the Oakland Police Commission, you are encouraged to reach out to the Selection Panel and/or the Mayor’s Office to express your interest and inquire about current or future opportunities.

Shawana Booker

Commission Vice-Chair

Shawana Booker is a Mayoral Appointee. Her term ends on October 16, 2026

Shawana Booker, LCSW, is an Oakland native with nearly 30 years of dedicated service to children and families in the Bay Area. After earning her BA and MSW from the University of California, Berkeley, Ms. Booker began her career as a licensed therapist delivering culturally responsive therapeutic interventions to children involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. She is now a leader in the field of trauma-informed care, having directed multiple intensive behavioral health programs, most recently at the nationally-recognized Trauma Transformed Program at the East Bay Center for Children. 

Ms. Booker is a national authority and trainer on effective behavioral health interventions for children, youth, and families. She is a certified trainer for both an evidence-based parenting program and for the primary monitoring and outcome tool used in behavioral healthcare throughout the Bay Area. She is committed to supporting her local community, and has shared her expertise through serving on several nonprofit boards and community coalitions. At the national level, Ms. Booker has been invited to speak at numerous psychology conferences, graduate programs, and other engagements across a range of research and clinical topics in behavioral healthcare. Ms. Booker is pleased to be a part of this commission, where she continues to advocate for the interests of her community. 

Email Address: SBooker@oaklandcommission.org

Term Start Date: Oct 17, 2024

Term End Date: Oct 16, 2026

Elected Vice Chair January 23, 2025

Wilson Riles

Commissioner

Term Start Date: Oct 17, 2023

Term End Date: Oct 16, 2026

10/24/24: Elected Vice-Chair by the Commission

Served as Vice Chair until January 2025

Shane Williams

Commissioner

Shane Williams is a Mayoral Appointee. Her term ends on October 16, 2027

Shane Williams native of Oakland, CA.  She worked for Alameda County Probation department for 24 years.  Throughout her career she has experience working with juveniles and adults in the community and in the facilities.  Dedicated to developing and implementing effective trauma informed programming rooted in restorative practices, she possesses expertise in contract management, labor relations, staff recruitment and development.

 With a strong passion for identifying resources and best practices, she has experience managing budgets, procuring case management systems, safety equipment, and  overseeing various RFP processes. She is skilled in strategic planning and has successfully implemented and maintained the fidelity of behavior development systems. Additionally, she has served on nonprofit boards focused on youth development and education.

Email Address: SThomas-Williams@oaklandcommission.org

Term Start Date: Oct 17, 2024

Term End Date: Oct 16, 2027

Angela Jackson-Castain

Commissioner

Angela Jackson-Castain is a Selection Panel Appointee. Her term ends on October 16, 2027.

Commissioner Jackson-Castain is a Senior Management Consultant with 18 years professional experience dedicated to using data to drive business outcomes through innovation and thought leadership. Proven track record of cultivating and fostering strategic global partnerships. Adept at successfully organizing and managing large, cross-functional, highly skilled teams of professionals to develop maximum impact programs and execute complex projects. Proven success in data-driven decision making to deliver high-quality, customized results.

Ms. Jackson-Castain demonstrates excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills. She provides professional project management and oversees teams of executives, SMEs, subcontractors and technical professionals. She is adept at analytical and technical writing, technical editing, briefing diverse executive-level stakeholder groups and has extensive foreign and domestic travel experience. Ms. Jackson-Castain holds a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with minors in Spanish and Sociology. Ms. Jackson-Castain also completed primary coursework at La Universidad de Sevilla in Seville, Spain and Stanford University.

City Council Confirmation 9/17/24 - most recent term

Term: October 17, 2024 – October 16, 2027

Email Address: ajackson-castain@oaklandcommission.org

Term Start Date: Oct 17, 2024

Term End Date: Oct 16, 2027

Samuel Dawit

Commissioner

Samuel Dawit is a Selection Panel Appointee. His term ends on October 16, 2025.

As an Oakland native, Sam is dedicated to creating a balance between police accountability and the public's desire for safety. With a strong background in community service, Sam has served on Oakland's Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Oversight Commission and the Community Policing Advisory Board, where he focused on advancing public safety initiatives that prioritize community well-being and trust.

Professionally, Sam works in software development, specializing in building partnerships and alliances with other organizations. He aims to bring these skills in collaboration and coalition-building to the Oakland Police Commission, working to unite diverse perspectives in shaping a public safety framework that fosters trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Email Address: sdawit@oaklandcommission.org

Term Start Date: Oct 17, 2024

Term End Date: Oct 16, 2026

Omar Farmer

Alternate Commissioner

Omar Farmer is a Selection Panel Appointee. His term ends on October 16, 2025. 

Omar Farmer has successfully worked as an entrepreneur for the past 15 years. Adept at strategic planning, leadership and project management, prior to that he served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. As a service member he worked in various roles within both domestic and international environments. He’s well versed in conducting policy analysis and policy development and he excels at solving complex problems. 

As a civilian his level-headed and thoughtful approach have led him to become a respected subject matter expert on combatting racial profiling and discrimination online. His efforts have led to the creation of neighborhood groups, community events, education and public action. He also has experience serving on several boards, commissions, and committees. 

After being appointed to the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, he has since joined the Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Oversight Commission (SSOC), where he currently serves as Chair, as well as Alameda County’s Veterans Affairs Commission and BART’s Transit Security Advisory Committee, which oversees aspects of the BART Police Department. Notably, he holds the position of Chairperson for each of these groups. 

Email Address: Ofarmer@oaklandcommission.org

Initial Term Start Date: May 21, 2024

Initial Term End Date: Oct 16, 2025

New Term Start Date: Oct 16, 2025

New Term End Date: Oct 16, 2027

Mykah Montgomery

Chief of Staff

Mykah Montgomery is a distinguished professional with a Master's Degree in Leadership and an MBA in Executive Management, complemented by industry-respected certifications in Project Management, Customer Success Management, and Business Etiquette. As the CEO and founder of LARs (Leaders are Readers, Inc.), Mykah's dedication to youth literacy has seen her organization donate hundreds of books to children. Her tireless advocacy for children's literacy and anti-bullying efforts earned her recognition from the Honorable Libby Schaaf, former Mayor of Oakland, who declared April 3rd as "Mykah Montgomery Day". Additionally, Mykah was honored as the distinguished Alumna of the Year by Saint Mary's College of California and received the esteemed Jefferson Award for Public Service, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert Taft, Jr., and Samuel Beard.

In her capacity as Chief of Staff, Mykah has honed her leadership, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration skills. She has effectively supported senior executives in defining organizational goals, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Her wealth of experience enables her to align teams, resources, and initiatives to achieve overarching business objectives seamlessly.

Department: Police Commission

Email Address: MMontgomery@oaklandca.gov

Ways to engage the Commission:

• Via email directly to a Commissioner

• Via public comment during open forum portions of Police Commission Meetings (second and fourth Thursday evening of every month)

• Via voice message when you call 510.238.2187 

Leave a Voice Message

• You may leave a voice message by calling 510-238-2187.
  Please note: Voice messages will not be shared as public comment during Commission meetings.

  If you would like to submit a public comment and cannot attend in person, please use the e-Comment submission form at least 24 hours before the meeting by clicking here: Submit Public Comment via e-Comment Form

   

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Upcoming / Future Agenda Items

Annual Reports

• Police Commission Annual Report 2023(PDF, 9MB)
• Police Commission Annual Report 2022(PDF, 10MB)
• Police Commission Annual Report 2021(PDF, 6MB)
• Police Commission Annual Report 2020(PDF, 2MB)
• Police Commission Annual Report 2019(PDF, 199KB)
• Police Commission Annual Report 2018(PDF, 301KB)

Resolutions

• Oakland Police Commission Resolutions

• Police Commission Rules of Order as of (10/10/24)(PDF, 175KB)
• Police Commission Code of Conduct(PDF, 93KB)

PTSD Awareness Month Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6HcjDGYCVQ

Below are links to efforts by the Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission to increase awareness regarding suicides. 9/19/24 OPC Meeting Agenda Topic:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbCpB2N5TQg
• https://www.ktvu.com/video/1515665