James Beere sworn in as Oakland’s permanent police chief
By Tim Fang
James Beere, a 29-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department, was sworn in as chief of police Wednesday as the department seeks stability amid years of turmoil.
Mayor Barbara Lee swore in Beere during a ceremony held at Oakland City Hall, nearly three weeks after she appointed him for the job. Beere had been serving as interim chief since late last year.
“He knows policing. He knows Oakland. Together, we are building a long-term vision for OPD, with our residents, that requires public safety and justice, to move forward together,” Lee said.
Beere said Wednesday, “I had high hopes, but I never imagined one day that I’d be the chief of police. It was never a thought in my mind, I was not that ambitious. I was just so grateful and blessed that I actually had a job to be a police officer and serve our community. I did not realize that this city would become the purpose of my dedication, and that this department become my family.”
“Standing here, I am truly humbled to accept the responsibility and the roles of the chief of police,” he added.
Beere was appointed the interim chief following the departure of Floyd Mitchell, who has since been appointed to lead the police department in the city of Fremont.
The Oakland Police Department has dealt with years of turnover at the top, with 12 people leading the department in the last 15 years. Six people, including Beere, have served as either chief or interim chief since the start of 2020.
In addition to the turnover, the department continues to be under federal monitoring, a fallout of “The Riders” scandal of the early 2000s. Oakland police seeks to emerge from monitoring, after a status report earlier this year found the department was in compliance on all 51 reforms forced upon it, as part of a settlement.
