Judge ruling may put end to Oakland Police Department oversight after more than 20 years

Oakland Police Department is nearing completion of court-ordered reforms that have been under federal oversight for more than two decades. The oversight stems from the 2003 Oakland Riders scandal involving falsified reports, planted evidence, beatings, and civil rights violations. A federal judge in San Francisco is scheduled to review progress and focus on the final remaining requirements. Of 51 mandated reforms, three tasks remain under review. These include filing citizen complaints in a timely manner, completing internal affairs investigations within 180 days, and ensuring consistency in officer discipline. Civil rights attorney John Burris said the first two tasks have been effectively completed, leaving the discipline consistency decision for the court. He also cited earlier resistance, limited data, and leadership instability as factors affecting compliance progress.

"“We've been in it a long time over 20-plus years to get this together. A lot of progress has been made. We are down to the last three tasks,” said civil rights attorney John Burris, who filed the original lawsuit."

"“Out of 51 mandated reforms, three tasks remain under review. Those include filing citizen complaints in a timely manner, completing internal affairs investigations within 180 days and ensuring consistency in officer discipline. Burris said the first two tasks have been effectively completed, leaving the final decision on the third to the court.”"

"“It is extraordinarily important to me. It is as important as any issue there is that African American officers are treated the same and disciplined at a rate that makes sense statistically, compared to other ethnic groups,” Burris said."

"“Burris said early years of the reform effort faced resistance from within the department and lacked reliable data to measure compliance. He said meaningful progress began around 2014, when better data systems were in place. He also pointed to leadership instability, noting the department has had more than 11 chiefs over the past two decades.”"

Read at ABC7 San Francisco