Oakland police Chief LeRonne Armstrong has been fired.
"I am no longer confident that Chief Armstrong can do the work needed to achieve the vision," Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said Wednesday. "So today, I have decided to separate Chief LeRonne Armstrong from the city without cause."
Armstrong has been on administrative leave since last month. Darren Allison will continue to lead the Oakland Police Department as acting chief of police.
The firing stems from an independent report that found Armstrong mishandled cases of officer misconduct including a non-injury hit-and-run involving a sergeant who was in a patrol car at the time.
The mayor said after the report came out, the chief made several statements that troubled her.
She said the chief downplayed one of the incidents and that the chief didn't believe that the cases in the report reflected "systemic problems."
"This was not an easy decision. But it's necessary,” said Mayor Thao.
Armstrong issued the following statement following the announcement:
“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 unfair. I anticipate releasing a more detailed statement soon once I have the chance to fully digest the Mayor’s remarks.”
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In the past 10 years, Oakland has had 10 police chiefs. This includes interim chiefs and Armstrong.
Oakland Police Officers' Association President Barry Donelan provided the following statement on Wednesday:
"Despite the turmoil surrounding the leadership of the police department, Oakland residents can be assured that Oakland's hard working police officers have remained on duty throughout; responding to 911 calls, investigating crime, and will continue with their dedicated service to our city."
