By Police1 Staff
OAKLAND, Calif. — Voters approved a new civilian police commission to oversee the Oakland Police Department with 82 percent of the vote.
According to KNTV, the new commission will be have power to investigate officer misconduct, discipline officers, and hire and fire the police chief.
Councilman Dan Kalb, who sponsored the commission with Councilman Noel Gallo, told KTVU “I’m happy that an overwhelming majority of our residents support police accountability and reform.”
The councilmen said they began establishing a police commission before recent scandals came to light about the department.
“Most police officers are very good people who are doing a very difficult job but we need improved accountability,” Kalb said.
It will take six months to get the committee going, according to the report. Until then, the city council must approve an enabling ordinance that will further spell out new policies and reforms.