Allen, et al v. City of Oakland, et al

Filing 1015

ORDER re: Internal Affairs investigations and subsequent proceedings. The Compliance Director shall investigate the matters raised in this order and direct Defendants to take appropriate corrective action. Signed by Judge Thelton E. Henderson on 08/14/14. (tehlc3, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/14/2014)

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

2

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

3
4
5

DELPHINE ALLEN, et al.,

6
7
8
9

Plaintiffs,
v.
CITY OF OAKLAND, et al.,

MASTER CASE FILE
NO. C00-4599 TEH
ORDER RE: INTERNAL AFFAIRS
INVESTIGATIONS AND
SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS

Defendants.

11
For the Northern District of California

United States District Court

10
As has been widely reported, Officer Robert Roche’s termination based on events

12 surrounding an Occupy Oakland protest on October 25, 2011, was recently overturned by
13 arbitrator David Stiteler. This is not the first time an arbitrator has overturned an officer’s
14 termination by Defendants, and, indeed, this Court previously ordered the parties to discuss
15 the reinstatement of Officer Hector Jimenez by arbitration at the September 22, 2011 status
16 conference. The City’s promises to correct deficiencies at that time have fallen short, and
17 further intervention by this Court is now required.
18

Failure to address the issues addressed in this order will prevent compliance, let alone

19 sustainable compliance, with the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (“NSA”). Defendants
20 cannot be in compliance with Task 5 if the internal investigations leading to disciplinary
21 decisions by Defendants are inadequate. Likewise, they cannot be in compliance with
22 Task 45 if discipline is not consistently imposed. Because imposition of discipline is
23 meaningless if it is not final, the Monitor and the Court must consider whether discipline is
24 upheld at the highest level, most often arbitration. Just like any failure to impose appropriate
25 discipline by the Chief or City Administrator, any reversal of appropriate discipline at
26 arbitration undermines the very objectives of the NSA: “to promote police integrity and
27 prevent conduct that deprives persons of the rights, privileges and immunities secured or
28 protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States” and “to provide for the

1 implementation . . . of the best available practices and procedures for police management in
2 the areas of supervision, training and accountability mechanisms, and to enhance the ability
3 of the Oakland Police Department . . . to protect the lives, rights, dignity and property of the
4 community it serves.” NSA at 1. While the Court understands that there may be room for
5 differences of opinion, and that not every disciplinary decision will be upheld at arbitration,
6 the Court questions whether Defendants are adequately preparing cases for arbitration such
7 that consistency of discipline can be assured to the greatest extent possible.
8

Accordingly, with good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the

9 Compliance Director shall use his authority to investigate the following matters and, where

11 reforms, including, if necessary, immediate corrective action pending further investigation:
For the Northern District of California

United States District Court

10 necessary, direct Defendants to take appropriate corrective action to ensure sustainable

12

1. Whether any shortcomings in the Internal Affairs, Force Review Board, Executive

13 Force Review Board, or Skelly hearing processes give rise to disciplinary decisions that are
14 likely to be overturned at arbitration;
15

2. How expert witnesses are selected by the City, and whether they are qualified to be

16 experts and appropriately prepared to testify at arbitrations;
17

3. How counsel are assigned to represent the City at arbitrations, including how far in

18 advance of the arbitration counsel are assigned to each case; whether appointing outside
19 counsel without institutional knowledge is appropriate; the criteria for choosing outside
20 counsel; and whether the stated selection criteria are applied in practice;
21

4. How various entities within the City, including the Oakland Police Department and

22 City Attorney’s Office, coordinate concerning the assignment of counsel, the engagement of
23 expert witnesses, and the preparation of cases for defense at arbitration;
24

5. Whether the City’s representation at arbitrations has been adequate, including, for

25 example, whether appropriate percipient or expert witnesses were called, whether cross26 examination was effective, and whether counsel displayed sufficient case-specific and
27 institutional knowledge;
28

6. Whether the selection process for arbitrators can and should be changed;
2

1

7. Whether officers who are reinstated by arbitration are appropriately trained and

2 evaluated for fitness for duty for field work, including overtime assignments at special
3 events; and
4

8. Any other policies, procedures, and practices related to these matters.

5

Given the scope of this order, the Compliance Director may submit for approval to

6 this Court a request for additional staff, whose costs will be paid by Defendants through the
7 Court registry.
8

As always, the Court expects full and complete cooperation with its orders from City

9 personnel and officials, including the Mayor, City Administrator, Chief of Police, and City

11
For the Northern District of California

United States District Court

10 Attorney. The Compliance Director shall immediately report any hindrances to the Court.

12 IT IS SO ORDERED.
13
14 Dated: 08/14/14
15

THELTON E. HENDERSON, JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
3