Oakland Chooses James Beere to Serve as Permanent Police Chief

“Today’s appointment is about more than selecting a police chief — it is about renewing our commitment to the people of Oakland,” Lee said in a statement. “James Beere embraces meaningful civilian oversight and constitutional policing, values collaboration with our neighborhoods, businesses, and faith leaders, and is fully prepared to lead on day one.”

Previous public safety leaders have come under sharp scrutiny for major corruption scandals and concerns over crime, but the new chief is stepping into the official role with widespread support.

“ Not a lot of people agree on many things in Oakland, but we all agree on Beere,” City Council President Kevin Jenkins said.

Beere joined the Oakland Police Department in 1997 and has worked key roles in vice and narcotics before rising to sergeant in crime reduction and intelligence units. He commanded the force’s criminal investigations division before serving as former assistant chief of police.

Councilmember Zac Unger praised Beere for being “instrumental” to Oakland’s declining crime rates and supporting the city’s Operation Ceasefire gun violence prevention initiative.

“He is a stable pick. He has the trust of the community. He has the trust of our police officers. And I think he is the right person to lead us into the next phase of OPD,” Unger said.

Lee selected Beere from four candidates after a recruitment process led by the city’s police commission and retired Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn.

Beere said that he doesn’t expect much to change now that his position is permanent and will continue to focus on reducing crime, recruiting new officers and constitutional policing.

He also promised to maintain the many reforms instituted since a police misconduct scandal shook community trust in 2000. More than 100 people sued OPD, accusing a group of officers known as the “Riders” of beating, kidnapping and planting drugs on them.

The department agreed to a negotiated settlement agreement in 2003, which included coming into compliance with 51 tasks to reshape the department’s culture and policy under federal oversight.

In May, a court monitor found that the department had reached full compliance, and OPD is set for a hearing where it could regain independence in the fall.

“ I’ve seen the worst, but I’ve also seen the best,” Beere said. “I’m a product of the negotiated settlement agreement. And if we are taken out of court oversight in September, the negotiated settlement agreement’s not going away.”

He said the reforms are “ stitched into the fabric” of the department.

John Burris, an attorney who brought that case and spent decades overseeing OPD’s progress toward achieving the reforms, said that as a veteran of the department, Beere understands the reforms.

“I think that we have confidence that when crises do happen and do occur, which they will, he will handle them in a manner that’s consistent with the general orders that are applicable,” Burris said. “Not show a kind of favoritism and make decisions based upon his relationship with various officers, as opposed to following the rules that have been laid out by the NSA.”

Beere’s appointment still needs to be approved by the city council, which is expected July 17.

KQED’s Desmond Meagley contributed to this report.