Overview

• U.S. News & World Report placed Oakland second on its most dangerous places list using 2024 FBI crime rates.
• The police union says OPD has 649 sworn officers on payroll with about 515 working beats and more than 100 on leave, and reports losses of five to six officers per month with many departing to other agencies.
• The academy that launched in July began with 26 recruits and has already lost six, with union officials expecting few to reach patrol before next year.
• The mayor’s office reports violent crime down 28% and overall crime down 31% and says the city will fund five academies over two years to reach 678 officers on the way to a 700-officer goal.
• A city-commissioned analysis found OPD nearly 200 officers short of baseline, and the Police Commission urged civilianizing desk roles to save $100,000 to $180,000 per position; staffing counts exclude help from CHP, the county sheriff, BART police and federal partners.