Part 7/12:
This high rate of leadership change underscores broader issues within the department and the city's governance. Many officials and community leaders see the revolving door as symptomatic of deeper structural deficiencies, including underfunding, politicization, and lack of effective strategies for recruiting and retaining officers.
Challenges of Underfunding and Retention
Despite efforts to improve recruitment—such as allocating a police budget that funded five new academy classes—the department struggles to maintain staffing levels. Currently, Oakland has about 515 officers on duty, although experts say more than 850 are necessary to ensure adequate protection.