James Beere

Oakland Interim Chief James Beere has been appointed as the City of Oakland's permanent Chief of Police. Mayor Barbara Lee announced the decision, citing a comprehensive recruitment process led by the Police Commission and retired Chief Daniel Hahn.

James Beere, who became Oakland's interim Police Chief last December, has been confirmed to lead the department permanently.

James Beere has been appointed as Oakland's permanent police chief. He has a nearly 30-year career and has made progress on Oakland Police Department's federal reforms during a period of declining crime.

Oakland officials introduced a multi-agency security plan involving police, highway patrol, and sheriff's departments to address late-night violence during the First Fridays festival. The initiative includes increased staffing, drone monitoring, and collaboration with the Department of Violence Prevention to tackle traffic violations and unauthorized youth gatherings. Business leaders, including Fox Theater manager Tony Leong, had urged the measures, while festival director Venessa McGhee expressed concerns about the event's future due to prior incidents.

The Oakland Police Department graduated 17 new officers, increasing the total to 621 sworn officers, though this remains below the city-funded 678 positions. Federal oversight of the department is expected to end in September after the department met court-mandated recommendations from a 2000 case.

Nine people were arrested and 77 ATVs and dirt bikes seized after a wild takeover shut down traffic on the Bay Bridge in California. The Oakland Police Department worked with regional partners to safely coordinate arrests and vehicle seizures. The takeovers have become a regional problem, with multiple incidents occurring in recent months.