Can Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee help end the police's federal oversight? A judge is optimistic.

"For over two decades, efforts to lift the Oakland Police Department out from under the watchful eye of a federal judge have fallen short. Now, though, the department may be nearing the finish line. If Judge William Orrick does relinquish control of the often scandal-ridden department by the end of this year, he may ultimately credit Mayor Barbara Lee, the former congresswoman to whom Orrick offered glowing praise at a court hearing this week."

"The department's oversight, an unprecedented arrangement that began with the infamous Riders brutality scandal in the early 2000s, will continue at least until May. Orrick, however, believes OPD is at the threshold of full compliance because of the mayor's willingness to implement long-term reforms. I have to say, there have been a few mayors who have expressed thoughtfulness about what to do to get OPD to full compliance, he said, offering rare praise, at the Tuesday hearing."

"No one until now has demonstrated an awareness and holistic understanding of what we need to do. Orrick lauded Lee, who took office last May, for her decision to install the city's former inspector general, Michelle Phillips, as an official in the department's top ranks. Phillips reports directly to the mayor, providing a direct window into the department's accountability measures. Last fall, Lee also appointed longtime OPD veteran James Beere as the interim police chief."

The Oakland Police Department has been under unprecedented federal oversight since the early 2000s Riders brutality scandal. Judge William Orrick said the department may be at the threshold of full compliance and could be relinquished from judicial control by year-end, though oversight will continue at least until May. Orrick credited Mayor Barbara Lee's willingness to implement long-term reforms for the progress. Lee appointed former inspector general Michelle Phillips to a senior department role and named James Beere interim police chief. Beere assigned Deputy Chief Aaron Smith to head internal affairs, creating direct lines between internal affairs, the chief, and the mayor. The court received those accountability measures warmly.

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