"From 2011 to 2024, staffing increased by nearly 9%. Over the same period, overtime went up by almost 200%."
EDIT: Between 2010 and 2020 Oakland's population increased 12% and total homicides, not per capita, remained flat. The Covid years (2021-23) saw a big increase in homicides (and presumably other crime) which may account for some of the increase. However by 2024, homicides returned to pre-Covid levels.
"“At this staffing level, more officers will be forced to work excessive overtime, which in turn will accelerate attrition,” Nguyen said in a statement. “We cannot meet the needs of our community without forcing officers into more shifts.”
It is true that OPD is severely understaffed by hundreds of officers. Mayor Barbara Lee is attempting to shrink the staffing gap, with plans to increase the number of officers. "
That's the head of the police union. Not an objective outsider.
> It is true that OPD is severely understaffed by hundreds of officers
And despite increasing staffing a little, overtime went up a lot. Two things can be simultaneously true: Oakland PD is understaffed and Oakland PD isn't managing overtime spending well.
If they only correct the understaffing problem without fixing overtime, they're going to exacerbate the budgetary issues. It's important for officers to be well-rested when doing their work.
Summary: population up by the same amount as staffing, crime flat or lower (if you're measuring per-capita).
Population increased 12% between 2010 and 2020. Total homicides, not per 100k, were roughly the same - 95 vs 110. There was a marked increase in homicides during the Covid years but it dropped back down in 2024.
I'm not an expert in police staffing levels, just poking around and asking questions. This seems interesting from your second link:
> The number of Oakland Police Department officers has varied from a low of 626 (in 1996 and in 2012) to a high of 814 (in 2002). There were 723 officers at the end of 2015. The city's strategic plan recommended 925 officers, and an independent study commissioned by the city in the mid-1990s recommended 1,200 officers. As of 2025, the city employed only 675 police officers, budgeted for only 600, and of these, 100 were on leave.
> 1 in 6 officers were on leave the entire year? What is that about?
No clue my friend. Public sector unions do weird things.
> Like I wrote in another comment, both can be simultaneously true. The department is both understaffed and possibly does not manage its overtime well.
I didn't see that comment, but I don't disagree with you. I was just trying to understand a little more about the staffing levels.
EDIT: Between 2010 and 2020 Oakland's population increased 12% and total homicides, not per capita, remained flat. The Covid years (2021-23) saw a big increase in homicides (and presumably other crime) which may account for some of the increase. However by 2024, homicides returned to pre-Covid levels.