Oakland Police Faces Deadline On Riders Corruption Case

OAKLAND (KCBS)— The change at the top of the Oakland police department comes as it faces the possibility of being placed in federal receivership. This week on Tuesday outgoing Police Chief Anthony Batts turned in his letter of resignation.

Assistant Police Chief Howard Jordan has stepped in as interim police chief, but the department only has until January to be compliant with a list of 51 reforms stemming from a police corruption case that alleges officers beat and framed residents.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

City leaders including Mayor Jean Quan, said complying with the consent decree from the Oakland Riders case is a top priority for the police department.

Chief Jordan has already been the department's top authority on bringing the agency into compliance.

City Administrator Deanna Santana said there's a lot of work still to be done.

"We are certainly planning for significant progress from here to January. I have personally asked the federal monitor to assist me with understanding all of the implications of what it means to be placed in receivership and we are awaiting that information," Santana said.

Oakland agreed to implement 51 reforms when the Riders case was settled eight years ago.

Attorney John Burris represented some of the plaintiffs in the Riders civil case.

Burris said not enough progress was made under outgoing chief Anthony Batts.

"A lot of what had taken place already had taken place. We have not moved beyond the 12 or so tasks that have not been completed," Burris said.

The next court hearing on the reforms is January 26th.

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