Oakland Police Chief Fired for Alleged Downplaying of Officer's Misconduct
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Oakland, California Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong was fired Wednesday by Mayor Sheng Thao for allegedly covering up an officer's misconduct.
The Details: An independent investigation concluded that Armstrong and the Oakland Police Department failed to properly investigate and discipline Sergeant Michael Chung after he was in involved in a hit-and-run with his police car in 2021.
Key Quotes: "As Oakland continues to improve its police department, we must be confident that our Chief will be effective in making sustainable improvements that can be recognized by the federal monitor, the federal court and the people of Oakland," Thao said. In a statement after the firing, Armstrong said, "After the relevant facts are fully evaluated by weighing evidence instead of pulling soundbites from strategically leaked, inaccurate reports, it will be clear I was a loyal and effective reformer of the Oakland Police Department."
For Context: The department has been under federal oversight for twenty years because of a police corruption scandal involving "The Riders," an anti-gang unit. Armstrong was the 13th person to serve as Oakland Police Chief since January 2003, and he had been on administrative leave since last month in connection with the cover-up probe.
How the Media Covered it: Armstrong's firing was covered by sources across the political spectrum, with left-rated sources focusing on Armstrong's objections to Mayor Thao's decision.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong fired over response to misconductThe mayor of Oakland, California, has fired the city's police chief for allegedly downplaying an officer's misconduct.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao placed police chief LeRonne Armstrong on leave last month after findings from an investigation were released.
The report alleged Mr Armstrong had failed to adequately discipline a sergeant involved in a hit-and-run.
"This was not an easy decision," Ms Thao said.
"But it's one I believe it's necessary for [reform] progress to continue," she said at a news conference on Wednesday.
From the Right
Oakland police chief fired after alleged cover-up of officer misconduct: 'Significant cultural problems'The city of Oakland, California, fired its police chief on Wednesday over the alleged cover-up of an officer's misconduct, marking the loss of the city's seventh head of police since 2016 as the department hits 20 years under federal oversight.
Democratic Mayor Sheng Thao announced she was firing Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong after an independent investigation concluded the chief and the department failed to properly investigate and discipline Sgt. Michael Chung, who was involved in a hit-and-run with his patrol car in 2021.
A separate incident also showed Chung fired his...
From the Left
Update: Armstrong blasts firing from position as chief, calls it 'fundamentally wrong'Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne maintained his innocence Wednesday after being firing from the position by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
Armstrong released the below statement regarding the mayor's action:
"I am deeply disappointed in the Mayor's decision. After the relevant facts are fully evaluated by weighing evidence instead of pulling soundbites from strategically leaked, inaccurate reports, it will be clear I was a loyal and effective reformer of the Oakland Police Department. It will be equally clear that I committed no misconduct, and my termination is fundamentally wrong, unjustified, and...
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