19 Mar Antioch Police Oversight Commission Resists Pause Amid Political Pressure

“It’s imperative our work continues uninterrupted and to uphold its mission of independent oversight and public accountability,” said commissioner Treva Hadden at the Monday meeting of the Antioch Police Oversight Commission. (Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

A month after Mayor Ron Bernal proposed a pause for the Antioch Police Oversight Commission to refine onboarding and training, commissioners indicated they won’t give in to the pressure just yet.

Commissioners at Monday’s meeting did not reach a consensus that would have either reduced the number of monthly meetings or halted meetings indefinitely. Much of the opposition to a pause was because of claims the council is exercising its political power over an independent commission. 

“It’s imperative our work continues uninterrupted and to uphold its mission of independent oversight and public accountability,” said commissioner Treva Hadden. 

Although no decision was made, a commissioner-led proposal to reduce meetings from twice a month to once a month may be considered in the future.

Talks of a potential pause come after the resignation of former commissioner Leslie May, which put the city out of compliance with a U.S. Department of Justice agreement. It mandates that the commission must have at least five of its seven seats filled. Currently, only four members are seated.

Bernal’s proposal in February would have stopped meetings until June to allow new commissioners to be interviewed and trained with current commissioners. However, the City Council cannot pause APOC’s meetings without rewriting a city ordinance. City staff is drafting new language for the ordinance, according to Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger. 

Chair Porshe Taylor said that while interviews are reportedly ongoing, the training timeline — and the length of a potential pause — is still unclear. 

Since the commission’s first meeting last March, over one-third of its meetings have been canceled or postponed because they either failed to reach a quorum or fell on a holiday. 

Commissioner Alicia Lacey-Oha said she was disturbed that the March 10 meeting, where the agenda was identical to Monday’s, failed to reach a quorum and suggested alternates be named to ensure meetings take place. 

With only four members, the commission also must approve any item unanimously to pass an agenda item. Even a 3-1 vote would not be enough.

An independent commission

Some community members who spoke in opposition to the proposed pause said the commission should be free of political interference and claimed council members had silenced commissioners.

“It felt like you guys gave in. They said ‘dismantle’ and you guys said ‘OK, we agree.’ I’m speaking for the community, for African Americans. You didn’t stand for us,” ” said Teki Flow of Reimagine Antioch. “Please, I beg you to fight for your community before putting your hands up.”

Some advocates have expressed concern the commission would be eliminated since Bernal, Mayor Pro Tem Louie Rocha and council member Don Freitas took office in December. Their arrival meant the end of a progressive majority on the council. 

“It’s no secret the mayor in office and certain council members do not want the APOC to exist, yet we have (commissioners) here engaging in personal matters with our City Council, mayor,” she said. “And another (commissioner) who followed the mayor’s directive to oust former commissioner Leslie May.” 

May, who said Monday that her resignation was forced after Freitas called for her removal, said it was important the commission continued without interruption because the world was watching. 

May resigned after using the n-word when speaking to city leaders during a special City Council meeting while she was protesting the potential firing of former city attorney Thomas Lloyd Smith.

In response, Commissioner Lacey-Oha dismissed claims that Bernal had been influencing commissioners. 

“The only person who has been talking in my ear is God,” she said. “I’m here for the best interest of you all.” 

Vice Chair Devin Williams echoed Lacey-Oha, saying his intentions were to ensure things were community-led. 

The next Antioch Police Oversight Commission meeting is April 7.