City Government

Oakland Councilmember Sheng Thao Calls for More Police Academies

“There have been changes made in Oakland’s police department by the chief that I believe will increase not only the graduation success rates among academies, but will improve Oakland’s recruitment efforts in order to close the gender gap in OPD,” said Thao.

Published

5 years ago

September 10, 2021

Isabelle Price

Police at a Trump Rally; Photo courtesy of Colin Lloyd via Unsplash

On Tuesday, Oakland City Council President Pro Tem Sheng Thao called on the City Council to immediately approve and fund two new police academies.

Thao is bringing forward a plan to use cost savings from the Oakland Police Department to immediately fund an additional police academy this fiscal year, 2021-2022, and is also urging her City Council colleagues to fund an additional police academy for fiscal year 2022-2023.

“Public safety is my No. 1 priority,” Thaos said. “As a representative on the Oakland City Council, I do not take lightly the rise in crimes throughout the city, including violent crimes and property crimes. We cannot afford to wait. Our children should be able to play outside, walk to school, or ride their bike without their parents having to worry for their safety. Our seniors should not have to feel unsafe just to walk to the store and as Oakland residents, we should be able to feel safe in our own homes,” Thao said.

“That is why I am calling upon my City Council colleagues to support my legislation to immediately move forward with a fifth Police Academy that will include a higher number of local hires, a higher number of women recruits, and an option for childcare for recruits that are in need.”

As the city continues to have trouble with police officer retention, Thao states that finding more local candidates or candidates with ties to Oakland is key to keeping officers who are invested in Oakland.

Thao has submitted her request to be heard at the next scheduled City Council meeting on September 21.

This report comes from the press office of City Councilwoman Sheng Thao.

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