Fed up Oakland residents call for mayor's removal following OPD scandal
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Fed up and furious Oakland residents got their say Tuesday night about the city's police scandal and some have a new demand targeting the mayor.
There was a fiery meeting Tuesday night as the Oakland City Council met for the first time since a scandal involving the police department unfolded. Several people spoke out, calling for the resignation of Mayor Libby Schaaf.
RELATED: Oakland Police Department's top cop steps down for 3rd time in 8 days
"We're calling for the resignation of Libby Schaaf. The buck begins and ends with her," said one speaker.
Many got right to the point at the start the Oakland city council meeting, saying the mayor must go.
"I'm reaching out to someone to recall you as mayor of Oakland," said another speaker.
Some blame mayor Schaaf for mismanaging multiple scandals inside the Oakland Police Department and the appointment of two interim chiefs, one quickly removed, the other who stepped down in a matter of days.
RELATED: New OPD acting chief promises to restore trust amid sex scandal
A growing sex scandal isn't going away involving multiple officers who may have had sex with an underage prostitute.
Some believe the council shares the blame.
"What about sexual exploitation of a minors? Every one of you is silent!," said Oakland resident Gene Hazzard.
RELATED: Mayor Schaaf says police misconduct allegations are 'very disturbing'
Alameda County district attorney Nancy O'Malley is considering various charges against many of the officers involved. "One is statutory rape, for when she was a minor, one is engaging in commercial sex and paying for it," O'Malley said.
A coalition of community groups is calling for greater accountability and the resignation of Schaaf.
ABC7 News asked councilperson Rebecca Kaplan if she thinks mayor needs to step down.
RELATED: Several Bay Area officers under investigation for possible involvement in sex scandal
"I feel like we need to fix problem. The fact she's appointed different chiefs, and then none is a problem," Kaplan said.
Schaaf tells her critics, she's not going anywhere. "I share their passion to reform our department and really rebuild that community trust in policing," Schaaf said. She said she has no timeline for hiring a permanent chief.
Click here for full coverage on the Bay Area police sex scandal.
