Ali Winston
By Nicole Jones
Howard Jordan was named permanent police chief of Oakland Wednesday. He’d been serving as interim since October after former police Chief Anthony Batts suddenly resigned, citing reasons such as mounting pressure and “limited control, but full accountability” in his job.
From working on patrol to the SWAT team, Jordan has a two-decade history with the Oakland Police Department. Mayor Jean Quan said she has high expectations for Jordan’s leadership and his plans for reforms especially now when all eyes are on the department.
As interim chief, Jordan has had to grapple with issues including violent crime, budget constraints and the question of how to handle the Occupy Oakland protests. Jordan will continue to deal with criticism by a federal judge who believes the department is moving too slowly to implement reforms motivated by a decade-old police scandal. The city has recently been threatened with receivership if it cannot comply with the judge’s order in the coming months.
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An Oakland police officer could face sanctions for covering his nametag while working during last weekends Occupy Oakland protests. His lieutenant also could be fined for not reporting the incident. This is the latest in a series of legal allegations by the Oakland Police Department, who faces a possible federal receivership. More from the Bay Citizen.
