Oakley Police Chief Pushes Back Against Fuller’s Commentary

On Tuesday, Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard challenged Councilmember George Fuller on his recent social media commentary regarding no longer providing mutual aid assistance to the Antioch Police Department.

Beard highlighted that he wanted to remain “a-political” and stay out of politics, however, Fuller’s commentary made it seem like Oakley Police was not going to assist Antioch Police and the fallout he has had to deal with in taking his social media opinion as fact.

Beard confirmed to the council he was still going to support mutual aid to any agency who needs assistance as long as Oakley services do not drop below 50% on any given day.

“It actually pains me that there is any slight question mark on the Oakley Police Department that we would hesitate to respond to a call for outside assistance. That is not my body of work for 33-years and not my expectation of my police department,” stated Beard.

The exchange came towards the end of a 90-minute presentation by the chief on the future of the department, over hiring, dispatch center and its aid agreement to other agencies.

Fuller stated several times Tuesday he wanted to see a mutual aid agreement, although voluntary, that could be signed and that they could walk away from while calling Oakley Police highly professional. But wanted an aid agreement with Antioch.

“I look at the situation, and what I heard in the one next door is Antioch is approaching police work from a different perspective as they want control holds and cant get military equipment, there whole attitude is more oppressive than ours,” stated Fuller. “That is Antioch and I don’t want to go over there, but I do not want to open our officers to abuse from the power structure within Antioch. I don’t want our officers over there and getting into an incident that is unfavorable. Then we see someone from Antioch running over to (District Attorney) Diana Becton and Oakley isn’t taking care of their officers and we cant have this and that type of rhetoric that can occur.”

Fuller continued.

“That’s very hard on a family. It’s very hard to have a 14-year-old come home and say daddy why are you a murderer. They say what do you mean. Well you’re a cop aren’t you. Ya, well the mayor says all of you are murders,” stated Fuller. “Casting people habitually going on every time they go in there I want to protect them.”

Beard said from his position, he will keep the discussion from chief to chief.

“I will not discuss the issues with the mayor,” stated Beard. “I think that’s a political entity that I should not be involved in. I have had several conversations with Chief Steve Ford. Chief Ford and I see mutual aid the same way and both acknowledge the legal document and law enforcement is built upon mutual aid.”

He stated full blown mutual aid rarely happens and when it does happen it happens under Oakley Police Policy.

“They are operating under my authority, operating under my policies and I take accountability for their actions. I can’t really make a stronger statement than that. They operate under me,” stated Beard. “They represent me at these situations.”

Fuller states he appreciated the chief to chief, but didn’t think Antioch Police were getting the same support that Oakley is giving to the police department.

“I would like in the whole conversation, the city managers to sign also that you are in charge,” stated Fuller. “Why I say that, some say I am signaling out one city and that is true, but I want a codified letter that is in place and public that if something twerks, say the mayor of Antioch and he refutes and says we gotta do something and runs to the city council and starts saying we gotta change this and we have this document in place. We don’t have to worry about the political pressure.”

Fuller stated again he wanted both the police chiefs and city managers to sign the document.

Beard said the document is already on file and understood the current document doesn’t have everything Fuller is referring too. He then stated how grateful he was to work for the city but had some concerns about what Fuller was stating.

“I do not want to get into disparaging  commentary regarding another jurisdiction, but I do understand why you bring it up,” stated Beard. “It actually pains me that there is any slight question mark on the Oakley Police Department that we would hesitate to respond to a call for outside assistance. That is not my body of work for 33-years and not my expectation of my police department.”

Beard said if he had to sign a document with Chief Ford, he would do so to get this question mark off the Oakley Police Department.

Councilmember Shannon Shaw brought up the LEMA and they already do it because everyone in the county has signed the agreement which includes indemnification and limitation of liability.

“Yes, we are in an agreement that we will send officers if we can do it. If we can manage, not dropping below 50% and based on the degree of the request,” explained Beard who added complaints fall under Oakley, not the agency in the city where it occurred.

Shaw stated that not only have all the chiefs of police signed the agreement, but Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton has signed it and agreed to the policy.

She further highlighted when it came to police holds, state law already took care of the policy while many agencies have been working on the Eight Can’t Wait. The same goes with military equipment record keeping.

“This is not a city specific, this is throughout the state,” stated Shaw. “The choke holds that are banned there are banned here, and the training is the same.”

Chief Beard confirmed made by Shaw.

“This isn’t an Antioch Mayor doing these things, this was provided by the state, law enforcement agencies had to do it. I appreciate you being an A political, staying out of the politics, worrying about the politics in another city can cause hesitation and if we have learned anything recently, a recent shooting which I watched the body camera footage, those officers did not hesitate. If an officer hesitates in the line of duty that can be very dangerous. If we have to stop at a city border and wonder what is happening over there, it could cause major issues. I appreciate we work so close together where they have given us aid and we have given them aid.”

Councilmember Anissa Williams applauded the chief for staying out of the politics of what is happening at another agency.

“I want to be part of a city that promotes the things we are doing here and not worrying about pointing out the shortcomings of our neighboring cities especially as it comes to a political aspect that has nothing to do with policing,” stated Williams. “I don’t want to disparage another city… even though Lamar (Thorpe) likes to take credit for each of those things, it was the State of California Law.”

Fuller still stated he wanted the letter signed by city managers and police chiefs regardless of its in the law or not.

Councilmember Hugh Henderson explained the chief gave a report and highlighted the policies in police. He believed the council should let him do his job.

“I think we are getting way to much into the weeds of letting him do his job. We have given him policy to move forward with the mutual aid system set up, there are safeties in there. We have seen all that and I think we should just let the chief do his job on this,” said Henderson.

Shaw added she disagreed with this city manager to city manager and chief to chief agreements because if another agency does something they didn’t like or creates a policy they disagree with are they going to have to sign a new agreement each time or if they would have to go to each possible jurisdiction and see if they would agree to Oakley’s terms before police would even respond.

“That is the point of a uniform mutual aid agreement for the entire county,” said Shaw. “If we are doing city, by city, by city, then it is causing these problems. I think this LEMA agreement is well written and covers all the things that are concerns.”

She believed the county agreement works versus going agency to agency—such as who would have thought Oakley would be going to Seattle Washington and ultimately called the conversation Tuesday on mutual aid “ridiculous”.

Beard said he understood the concerns, but if he started acting in a way different than the rest of the law enforcement community he would be looked at differently.

“I would be looked at with suspicion and I would not want that suspicion to result in my department and my people receiving less assistance, less aid and less resources from other departments when I need them,” stated Beard.  “I say that with all due respect to everyone on the council.”

Fuller asked Beard to restate his comment so he could understand.

“I think its more important for you to define your statement on social media because your words on social media started this conversation. And what I had to deal with was my guys coming to me and asking if I am going to stop aiding Antioch and that answer is flat out no,” stated Beard.  “Then the concerns came up as, if we stop aiding other agencies, how can we expect other agencies to come in and assist us. These other agencies will show solidarity with Antioch Police. That is the situation I am trying to stay out of, I am trying to avoid that situation. Your own words have been characterized as Oakley Police will not assist Antioch Police.”

Beard admitted he didn’t believe that is what Fuller meant, but before he clarified his position, he asked Fuller to clarify his position on social media.

“I don’t think you will find anywhere where I said we are going to stop. We have a responsibility to the community, responsibility to the officers, it’s our decision where they go,” said Fuller who said if they needed 22-agreements then they do 22-agreements. “What I am hearing from others is that they are vulnerable and I don’t like the officers being vulnerable.”

He again stated he wanted a letter between police chief and cities.

“My clarification is I do not want to be involved in a process that would indicate that I am not supportive of providing assistance to other law enforcement officers in need,” stated Beard.

Williams stated there is an agreement already in place and signing something new is questioning his ability to send officers into another city.

Mayor Aaron Meadows said he was with the majority of the council.

“You need to do your job, you have agreements in place to do your job. I don’t want to go and tell you how to do it. I want to offer you the resources, but I don’t want to tell you how to do it,” said Meadows. “I think its all taken care of.”

Mutual Aid:

Beard explained that most small to medium size police agencies are staffed for day-to-day operations, not the major emergencies that occur in society. When they do occur, aid is either received or requested—calling it vital to modern day policing.

Beard further stated that aid provided does not drop Oakley Police services on any given day to below 50%. Oakley still needs coverage as would any agency.

Says each department has an agreement with the Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston which allows for the following:

• Allows agencies to support one another to protect life
• Assist agencies as needed
• Under Oakley Police, exists under a 50% rule where Oakley will not send more than 50% of its on-duty resources to help.
• Officer is governed by Oakley Policy and represents Oakley Police Chief
• East County agencies do twice per month traffic enforcement
• VSET – stolen vehicle & enforcement operations once a month in one city in the county

Beard explained that they had four incidents with mutual aid last year in 2022:

• Alexis Gabe investigation which required heavy assistance from Antioch Police
• March 22 – assisted Sheriff which resulted in officer involved shooting in Discovery Bay
• June 1 – Alexis Gabe case brought officers to Seattle Area where suspect was shot.
• Aug 26 – involved in an officer involved shooting which APD and Sheriff assisted in emergency.

Data on Mutual Aid (since Dec 1, 2022)

Provided assistance:

• Antioch Police Department – 6x
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – 5x
• Brentwood Police – 5x
• California Highway Patrol – 5x
• Pittsburg Police – 3x
• Concord Police – 2x
• San Francisco PD – 2x
• Walnut Creek PD – 2x
• Atwater PD – 1 x
• Burlington Norther/Santa Fe – 1x
• Calaveras County – 1x
• Martinez PD – 1x
• Santa Cruz PD – 1x
• Stanislaus county – 1x
• Turlock PD 1x

Beard said most of the assistance was in the form of traffic stops while some of the other agencies are information on a criminal investigation or sharing of information. They also seek to help locate suspects and provide information.

Received Assistance

• Contra Costa County Sheriff – 13x
• Antioch PD – 4x
• Brentwood PD – 2x
• Pittsburg PD – 2x
• Concord PD – 2x

Beard explained the sheriff’s number is so high is because of the helicopter who assist them.

“I hope these stats help us understand that Oakley Police both receives and provides mutual aid which is partial to modern day police work, its nothing unique, nothing that other agencies are not doing in their operational areas,” stated Beard. “With all that said, the Oakley Police Department will continue to provide mutual aid in a fair, managed and reasonable fashion just as we have always done.”

Oakley Police Chief provides a 90-minute presentation to the Oakley City Council on March 28, 2023

Staffing Levels:  Department Could Have Waiting List of Hires

The Oakley Police Department currently is allocated for a 40-person department. Back in July 2022, staffing levels were at 68%. Since that time, the staffing has jumped to 76% in two months with 5 more candidates that could be hired.

Beard shared that for the first time in the department history they would have a wait list and would rank potential candidates.

With fully staffed department, they would increase the traffic unit while creating a special operations unit would be created:

• Augment investigators as needed – going after wanted suspects, intel gathering, etc.
• Identify areas of concern – own intelligence building
• Curtail criminal trends
• Quality of life issues – such as homelessness
• Take on special projects

“When fully staffed with 4 officers and sergeant… Oakley will become a much safer city” said Beard.

Department Challenges:

With a 40–42-person department expected over next few years, they have maxed out space at the current building. They have an equipment replacement problem. Looking to see what can be done with a building, fleet management, addition of technology and officer equipment

Councilmember Anissa Williams asked if it was fair to suggest that the number of officers needed has been handled, however, the investment should be in space, equipment and technology.

Beard confirmed, stating they have secured the bodies needed and grateful where they need to focus on equipment.

Beard highlighted for a department of 40, they only have 24 ballistic helmets and would like to have a helmet for every head versus sharing helmets. They only have 32 rifles and said it was important that rifles are not shared due to accuracy and efficiency. He said by 2023, the community will see a healthy 40-person department performing all the functions and now was the time to invest in the safety for the people.

Councilmember Shannon Shaw asked about a possible sub-station, if that would be beneficial.

Beard said the model is beneficial to allow officer to respond to duty at main station, then goes out to work the beat and the substation would contain a break room, restroom, work station that consists of computer, printer and office equipment to complete reports.

Shaw also asked if Oakley allows its officers to purchase their own firearms, get qualified and own it.

Beard says they do not have that policy as the police department provides the rifles and qualify and carry the weapon.

“I want to figure out how to get that 1 officer per 1,000 people,” stated Shaw. “I want to figure out a solution.”

Over hire proposal

Oakley Police will be seeking council approval on an over hire in July of 2023, January 2024, and possibly in mid-2024 to assist with attrition plans. The department would stand at 41-42 officers by 2024.

Dispatch Change

Beard stated this project was brought forward as an agenda item to see if they could secure dispatch services somewhere other than the Contra Costa County Sheriff Dispatch Center. They are currently working with a consultant to vet the Brentwood Police Department Dispatch Center – however, they do not yet have a cost assessment or service assessment as of Tuesday night.

Previous Stories:

• Oakley Set to Talk Police Staffing Levels and Dispatch Change — Full Story
• Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA) Address Comments by Mayor Lamar Thorpe and Oakley Councilmember George Fuller – Read Statement
• Oakley Councilmember Suggests Not Sending Officers into City of Antioch — Full Story
• Oakley Councilwoman Responds to Statement of Not Sending Cops into Antioch — Full Story