Federal judge ends 23‑year federal oversight of Oakland Police Department
Judge William Orrick said the department’s progress justified ending the oversight that began in 2003.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A U.S. federal judge on Tuesday terminated federal monitoring of the Oakland Police Department, ending the longest‑running oversight of a police force in U.S. history.
What happened
The decision was issued on September 29, 2026, by San Francisco District Judge William Orrick. The oversight, imposed in 2003 after a scandal involving the Oakland “Riders,” required the department to adopt dozens of reform measures and report regularly to an outside monitor and the court.
What the reports add
- The Associated Press story on winnipegfreepress.com notes that Judge Orrick said, “I’m particularly grateful to the men and women of the Oakland Police Department … for achieving substantial compliance,” and added the closing wish, “May it ever be thus.”
- The Independent repeats the same quotation and adds that the federal monitor’s May report confirmed the department had complied with all 51 court‑mandated reforms stemming from the 2000 Riders case.
- Civil‑rights groups had asked Orrick to postpone ending oversight for at least a year after monitor Robert S. Warshaw said the department had again fallen short on timely investigations of severe misconduct.
- Orrick told the court it was time for the court to “get out of the way.”
- Oakland Police Chief James Beere told the judge the department had “slipped a little bit” on some investigations but that “we own our mistakes,” according to KTVU.
- Civil‑rights attorney John Burris said, “For me, it’s not today that’s important, it’s tomorrow … whether or not what’s been put in place here stands the test of time.”
What was said
“I’m particularly grateful to the men and women of the Oakland Police Department … for achieving substantial compliance.” – Judge William Orrick (Associated Press, Independent)
“May it ever be thus.” – Judge William Orrick (Associated Press)
“This is the first time in 23 years that OPD has achieved each of the 51 tasks in the settlement agreement. No one can say, ‘mission accomplished.’ But I do congratulate the city and OPD for getting this far.” – Judge William Orrick (Independent)
“We did slip a little bit, but we own our mistakes.” – Police Chief James Beere (KTVU, cited by Independent)
“For me, it’s not today that’s important, it’s tomorrow … whether or not what’s been put in place here stands the test of time.” – Attorney John Burris (Independent)
How it came about
The federal oversight began in 2003 after a rookie officer exposed abuse by the “Riders,” a group of officers accused of false arrests, planting evidence, excessive force and other misconduct. Four officers were charged; three were acquitted after deadlocked juries and the fourth remains a fugitive. That same year the city settled a class‑action police‑abuse lawsuit involving 119 plaintiffs for $11 million. The monitor’s May report found the department had met all 51 reform tasks, prompting the judge to lift the oversight despite lingering concerns from civil‑rights advocates.
Key facts
- Judge William Orrick ended federal monitoring of the Oakland Police Department on September 29, 2026. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The oversight began in 2003 following a scandal involving the Oakland “Riders.” (independent.co.uk)
- Judge Orrick praised the department’s “substantial compliance” before ending the oversight. (winnipegfreepress.com)
