Oakland Interim Police Chief James Beere appointed to permanently lead OPD
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Oakland Interim police chief James Beere, who took over from Floyd Mitchell in early December, has now been officially appointed by Mayor Barbara Lee to lead the department permanently.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee selected Beere to serve as the city's permanent police chief following a months-long recruitment process led by the Oakland Police Commission and retired Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn.
Lee announced the decision Thursday, saying the appointment will bring stability to Oakland's police department after years of leadership turnover.
"Public safety and justice are strongest when they advance together," Lee said in a statement.
"Oakland deserves stability. James Beere embraces meaningful civilian oversight and constitutional policing, values collaboration with our neighborhoods, businesses and faith leaders, and is fully prepared to lead on day one."
Lee also thanked the Police Commission, city staff, community stakeholders and residents who participated in the selection process, as well as the other candidates who applied for the position.
Beere is a veteran of the Oakland Police Department, where he has served since 1997and steps into a position that has seen frequent leadership changes over the years.
Speaking Thursday at the press conference, Beere noted that he has worked under 19 police chiefs during his nearly 30-year career with the department.
He said his deep knowledge of Oakland, its communities and the department's culture makes him uniquely qualified for the job.
His nearly three decades with the department include roles as interim police chief, assistant chief, deputy chief of the Bureau of Field Operations and commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.
Beere also acknowledged the significant challenges facing the department, which remains under federal oversight. Among his top priorities, he said, will be ensuring constitutional policing and continuing efforts to build public trust.
"The real goal is that we make sure to continue constitutional policing and based on our main strategy of ceasefire, again, working with our community, giving them a voice, listening to our kids, and learning from the mistakes that we do make to make sure the pd is the best pd and an example for all other agencies in the country to follow," Beere said.
A Marine Corps combat veteran, Beere has received several departmental honors, including the Blue Star Medal, Medal of Merit and the Chief's Excellence in Leadership Award. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Golden Gate University and graduated from the FBI National Academy.
In a statement, Beere said he plans to continue efforts aimed at reducing crime, rebuilding staffing levels and strengthening relationships with the community.
"As your Chief of Police, I look forward to serving Oakland's residents and businesses," Beere said. "Together, we will continue to implement 21st-century policing strategies, leverage modern technology, and bring long-term stability and safety to our city."
In a sit-down interview with ABC7 Eyewitness News in March, Beere previously addressed everything from staffing shortages to public trust and how both affect daily life in Oakland.
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In his previous interview with ABC7, he says in addition to taking steps to reestablish trust with the community, he's also continuing to try and stop crime.
A goal, he says, will be achieved by also acknowledging mistakes OPD has made in the past.
The nationwide search process included community engagement efforts focused on priorities such as constitutional policing, civilian oversight, officer recruitment and retention, community trust, reducing violent crime and improving response times.
Beere's appointment is expected to go before the Oakland City Council on July 17.
A swearing-in ceremony will follow if the appointment is approved.
