SERVICES

Below is a comprehensive list of the services and activities provided by City departments to internal and external customers, which describes the City’s operations throughout the Oakland community, including collaborative efforts with other governments and community partners. Internal customers include other City departments and elected officials, while external customers are comprised of residents, businesses, visitors, and similar persons.

External Services

Patrol and 911 Response Officers

Respond to 911 calls for service; officers patrol the City's commercial, industrial, and residential districts. The City is divided into 6 Areas and 35 police beats. OPD policy is to always maintain 35 active 911 response officers. 911 Surge Officers are assigned on a citywide basis to help reduce high 911 call waiting times.

Community Resource Officers

Coordination of problem-solving activities in their assigned beat; not limited to, documenting and tracking progress of Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council priorities, crime and blight issues identified by their respective area commander, including projects that are in the best interest of the community; guides and directs problem solving efforts with other Departmental and City personnel.

Crime Reduction Team Officers

Responsible for addressing and reducing violent and other serious crimes; conducts basic to intermediate level investigations, service of arrest warrants, and rapid arrest of suspects.

Walking (Foot & Bike) Patrol Officers

Walking Officers are officers who primarily are assigned to a commercial/business district to assist the merchants with crime and community concerns. They build relationships and trust with local merchants. The Foot Patrol Officer’s geographical area is usually much smaller than normal police beat, as they use other forms of transportation to increase visibility.

Ceasefire Operations

Responsible for addressing street gangs and community gun violence in Oakland, and for collecting and analyzing all intelligence & data on gun violence gathered by OPD and surrounding agencies. Ceasefire is a violence-reduction strategy that integrates law enforcement, social services, and the community to reduce gang/group-related homicides and shootings.

Community Liaison Officers

Community Liaison Officers (CLO) act as a liaison in undeserved violence targeted and limited English-speaking communities. CLOs share pertinent public safety information and act as an advisor and guide to community members and collaborate with community groups, businesses, and relevant City departments. CLOs serve as liaisons with city service teams, participate in and coordinate enforcement projects and coordinate with other OPD patrol and professional staff.

Police Youth Outreach

The Youth Outreach Unit is made up of four programs designed to reach youth and provide opportunities for a positive future: Police Activity League (PAL); Youth Outreach Mentor Officers; Explorer Program; and the Our Kids (OK) Program.

Police Public Information

The officers assigned to the Public Information Unit act as liaisons between the Department and the media. They are responsible for coordinating the Department’s response to the media and acting as spokespersons.

Traffic Operations

Responsible for enforcing traffic laws and educating the public on laws and regulations related to the California vehicle code; protecting the public by ensuring the safe operations of motor vehicles in the City of Oakland.

Vehicle Enforcement Units

The Vehicle Enforcement Units (VEU) consists of: Vehicle Abatement, Abandoned Auto, Scofflaw, Commercial Vehicle, Bicycle Recovery, and Taxi and Tow. VEU works to improve Oakland’s neighborhoods and enhance Oakland’s physical assets by addressing the problems of abandoned vehicles on public and private property, while aggressively pursuing parking citation scofflaws. VEU enforces rules and regulations pertaining to commercial trucking, particularly around the Port of Oakland. VEU also regulates the City of Oakland taxi industry. The Bicycle Recovery Detail stores and processes bicycles recovered as evidence, safekeeping or as lost and found property.

911 Call Center Communications

OPD receives and directs 911 calls for service; transmits routine and emergency telephone and radio voice messages; performs responsible clerical work of moderately high difficulty; operate complex teletype and video terminals for automated information retrieval.

Police Records

OPD is responsible for administrative duties involving warrants, records, subpoenas, and other litigation-related requests; assist individuals whose vehicles have been towed; releases crime reports; maintains complex internal automated record systems; access and update state and federal criminal history data systems; act as cashier for department; assist callers and visitors by supplying information or directing requests.

Criminalistics Services

The Criminalistics Division houses the Crime Lab, which analyzes evidence to assist with investigations and court proceedings. Firearms, Forensic Biology (DNA), Latent Prints and Drug Analysis services are rendered. The division performs professional and technical duties related to laboratory examination of physical and chemical analyses of evidence required in scientific criminal investigation; provides expert testimony regarding laboratory findings; and performs related duties as assigned.  Areas of examination may include analysis of firearm and tool-mark evidence, drug evidence, forensic alcohol analysis, biological evidence, trace evidence, and crime scene processing.

Evidence Technicians

The Police Evidence Technicians are responsible for collecting and preserving physical evidence at crime scenes and documenting evidentiary findings for use in criminal investigations.

Homicide Investigations

The Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating murders and officer involved shootings that occur within the City.

Investigations of Burglary and General Crimes

OPD is responsible for investigations of burglary and other general crimes including property crimes, financial crimes, and misdemeanor crimes.

Robbery & Felony Assault Investigations

OPD is responsible for overseeing investigations of all part one felony crimes against people. This includes conducting robbery crime scene investigations; conduct victim, witness, and suspect interviews; identify the styles and methods of robberies. Robbery-related crimes include carjacking, residential robberies, and all shooting-related crimes that are non-fatal. The investigators often assist in linked homicide investigations.

Task Forces Coordination

OPD coordinates with various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies through Task Forces. The Task Forces target a particular criminal activity, and often in a particular geographical area; combining the resources, intelligence, and talents of multiple law enforcement agencies to focus on a particular problem. Notable Task Force Partners include the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the US Marshals, and the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force.

Special Victims Services

Investigates incidents of sexual assault and child abuse, while linking victims and their families with social services to address trauma. Investigates vice-related criminal incidents as well as child prostitution, internet crimes against children, child sex rings and human trafficking. Monitors compliance of all registered sex offenders living and/or working in Oakland. Investigates incidents of domestic violence and physical elder abuse while partnering with support services advocates housed at the Family Violence Law Center. Investigates missing persons and runaway cases to unite friends, families and loved ones; also investigates abduction cases involving non-custodial parents. Processes juveniles arrested or detained by law enforcement and provides referrals to internal and external services designed to improve life choices and prevent future incidents.

Special Operations Services

The Special Operations Services include functions like Air Support, Canine Program, Mental Health Liaison, and City Work Safety Escort for Encampments.

Alcoholic Beverage Action Team (ABAT)

Responsible for licensing, inspecting, and conducting enforcement operations at all alcohol and tobacco establishments within the City of Oakland to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal law. The unit also responds to citizen complaints regarding nuisance bars and stores. The unit provides free training to educate business owners about various local and state regulations related to their businesses.

Internal Affairs Division

The IAD conducts thorough, impartial, and ethical investigations regarding allegations of misconduct and policy issues within the Department.

Internal Services

Office of the Inspector General

The OIG implements an internal risk management process and an evaluation of police performance, outcomes, and related policy. Using audits, reviews, and inspections, OIG promotes quality policing, police management, and accountability.

Crime Analysis Services

The Crime Analysis Section provides crime analysis information to a variety of stakeholders within the Police Department, as well as outside law enforcement partners and City officials. The Crime Analysis Section is tasked with a wide variety of analytical objectives, ranging from patrol support to major case investigations to statistical analysis.

Intelligence Services

The Intelligence Unit is responsible for gathering information and distributing it to appropriate units. The information is obtained in efforts to provide tactical or strategic information on the existence, identities, and capabilities of criminal suspects and groups.

Research and Planning

The primary functions of the Research and Planning Section are to develop policies and procedures; manage legislation to include Council and Commissions; coordinate document processing for the Department; and assist with the maintenance of the OPD website. The section also serves as the primary point of contact for the Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission and provides technical report writing for Force Review Boards and Executive Review Boards.

Training

OPD provides ongoing required training to officers after Academy graduation as well as members of other ranks and professional staff. These components include 40-hour Continuing Professional Training (CPT) courses for officers and sergeants that are mandated by California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to maintain certification, and training on use of force.

Recruit Training

OPD is responsible for the operation and the presentation of the Basic Police Academy for police officer trainees. The unit prepares police officers for work in the community in a variety of skills and knowledge areas. In accordance with POST regulations, students are given written, practical, and job-simulation examinations. They are exposed to resources within the Department and the community to do their job in the most effective, efficient, and safe manner for all concerned. The curriculum has an emphasis on ethics and professionalism, critical thinking and problem solving, conflict resolution, and relationships with the community.

Wellness Unit

The Wellness Unit is a resource available to all OPD employees. It serves as a liaison to bridge the gap between the professional resources available to employees, including: The Peer Support Team, Critical Incident Response Team, OPD Medical Unit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Human Resources Management (HRM) Agency, Risk Management Agency and (where available) all other City Departments.

Police Fiscal and Human Resources Services

Provides standard departmental operations including processing payments, procurement, budget development, personnel actions, processing payroll, and grant administration.

Police Information Technology

Provides technical and professional level support in analyzing, developing, implementing, and documenting business operations, processes, and systems; integrates, adopts, and revises systems or procedures for compatibility with Citywide systems, processes, and workflows; develops and implement training programs for OPD on technology related platforms; produces reports, process mapping, and data files.

Recruiting and Background

Responsible for conducting fair and impartial backgrounds into all OPD candidates; attends recruiting events to increase the pool of qualified candidates applying for OPD positions; participates in testing process for the position of Police Officer Trainee.

Personnel Assessment System (PAS) Administration

Prepares and forwards early warning indicators regarding the potential for officer misconduct (threshold reports) to the appropriate Bureau Deputy Chief; produces PAS Activity Review Reports for individuals identified by the threshold reports; reviews all PAS Activity Reports for completeness, clarity and consistency; conducts PAS Panel Reviews to evaluate reports, updates, and recommendations made by the chain of command of members in the program; monitors the scheduling and frequency of PAS Disposition and follow-up meetings; provides primary administrative responsibilities for the PAS policy; provides reports relevant to the PAS program upon request; maintains confidential VISION files on all persons in the PAS program.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Performance Measures are metrics that collect information about operational activities, achievement of goals, community conditions, or other environmental factors to better understand present conditions and inform operational, managerial, policy, and community decisions. Performance Measures are composed of Service Output Measures, which describe a specific service measurement and the numerical value of that service on an annualized basis; and Equitable Service Delivery Success Standards, which describe the “gold standard” target service level for every customer/area of the City, including those who have been historically underserved, and is sometimes expressed as a percentage of the service delivery meeting a specific threshold. Service Levels are designated parameters of City operations, such as weekly facility hours, standard response times for emergency services, and standard response times for requests through OAK311.

Performance measures should identify, track, and improve access to City services for Oakland residents with a goal of continuous improvement in equitable outcomes over time through data collection and analysis. The annualized measurement provided against the Equitable Service Delivery Success Standard will be used to analyze and address areas needing improvement, including racial disparities, for equity purposes. The initial metrics chosen have a particular focus on assuring equitable service delivery to Oakland’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) residents, and selected for their potential to advance systemic change and close racial disparities in policy outcomes.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

BUREAUS/DIVISIONS

Office of the Chief of Police

The Office of the Chief of Police includes: The Chief's Immediate Office; Public Information; the Assistant Chief; and Intelligence. The Public Information Office handles media inquiries and responds to questions and comments from the public. The Assistant Chief is responsible for all operational and many support functions. The Intelligence Unit disseminates critical information concerning the safety of the Oakland community.

Bureau of Field Operations 1 & 2

The Bureau of Field Operations 1 is responsible for all patrol and specialized resource functions for the western portion of the City of Oakland. Included in BFO 1 are BFO Administration and Patrol Areas 1, 2, and 3.

The Bureau of Field Operations 2 is responsible for all patrol and specialized resource functions for the eastern portion of the City of Oakland. Included in BFO 2 are Patrol Areas 4, 5, and 6 Support Operations.

The Support Operations Division encompasses the Special Operations Section and the Traffic Operations Section. Police patrol provides general investigation, community policing, and crime prevention. The Special Operations Section includes Air Support; Marine Support; Special Events; Tactical Operations; Alcoholic Beverage Action Team; the Canine Program; and the Reserve Program. The Traffic Operations Section promotes traffic safety; investigates traffic complaints; and provides traffic and parking enforcement.

Bureau of Services

The Bureau of Services is made up of six functional areas: Fiscal Services; Records; Communications; Property and Evidence; Human Resources; and Recruiting and Background.

The Fiscal Services Division provides accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, audits, budget, contracting and purchasing, financial reporting, the false alarm reduction, and grant services. The Records Division maintains all non-traffic police crime-related reports and records, answers public record requests, manages the City’s tow contract, performs warrant verification, and inputs data into the Department’s public safety records management software. The Communications Division manages the emergency 911 call system and all calls for service and dispatches appropriate emergency response personnel. The Property and Evidence Unit is responsible for receiving, tracking, and storing property and evidence. The Human Resources Section is responsible for daily processing of all personnel-related matters and maintains individual personnel files for everyone who works for OPD. It is divided into Personnel Administration, Payroll and Medical. The Recruiting and Background Unit is responsible for the recruitment and screening of Department applicants.

Bureau of Investigations

The Bureau of Investigations (BOI) investigates criminal activity, analyzes evidence, and develops cases for prosecution. Included in BOI are the Criminalistics Division; Criminal Investigations Division; Crime Analysis Unit; Special Victims Unit; Robbery and Felony Assault Unit; Burglary/General Crimes/Field Support Unit; Homicide Section; and the Violent Crimes Operation Center (VCOC).

Bureau of Risk Management

The Bureau of Risk Management (BORM) identifies, analyzes, and assesses risk in order to control and avoid and minimize or eliminate unacceptable risk. The BORM consists of the Internal Affairs Division; the Office of Inspector General; the Training Division; the Research and Planning Section; the Information Technology Unit; the Property and Evidence Unit; and the PAS Administration Unit. The Internal Affairs Division investigates all allegations of misconduct against Departmental personnel. The Office of Inspector General performs audit functions and coordinates implementation of the Negotiated Settlement Agreement. The Research and Planning Section manages the Department’s legislative, policy, and short- and long-term planning functions. The Information Technology Unit is responsible for providing technology support. The Property and Evidence Unit is responsible for receiving, tracking, and storing property and evidence. The PAS Administration Unit administers the Department’s Personnel Assessment System.

Ceasefire

Responsible for addressing street gangs and community gun violence in Oakland, and for collecting and analyzing all intelligence & data on gun violence gathered by OPD and surrounding agencies. Ceasefire is a violence-reduction strategy that integrates law enforcement, social services, and the community to reduce gang/group-related homicides and shootings.