On Monday, the City of Antioch announced that Antioch Police Oversight Commission member Leslie May has resigned.
The move comes ahead of Tuesday’s City Council Meeting where they were to discuss her removal from the commission. Here is the statement released by the City of Antioch:
ANTIOCH POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSIONER RESIGNS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Antioch Police Oversight Commission member Leslie May has submitted her resignation from her role as the commissioner of the committee, effective immediately. May’s announcement to step down follows several contentious interactions with city leaders, including during a special council meeting on January 17th.
During the special councilcmeeting, May used several racist epithets to describe the Antioch City Manager and former City Attorney. District 3 Councilman Donald Freitas had called for the council to consider her removal as commissioner during its next regular meeting on February 11.
The City of Antioch will not tolerate racist behavior or language from any city employee or representative of our city. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, professionalism, respect, and accountability
February 13 UPDATE – HERE IS A COPY OF THE REGISTRATION LETTER:
Date: 02/10/2025
Time: 8:30 am
To whom it may concern, After talking with family and reflecting on my personal experience, it is in the best interest of my safety and health, I, Leslie D. May, am resigning effective immediately from my role as a commissioner for the Antioch Police Oversight Commission. My family and I have endured numerous attacks on my individual property, attacks from local opinion papers constantly pushing false narratives about my advocacy, inciting violent rhetoric now and prior to my appointment with the Antioch Police Oversight Commission. The dangerous attacks against me have increased since my appointment and most recently fueled by Councilmember Don Freitas calling for my resignation due to a cultural misunderstanding.
As a 73 year of age Black woman, I am a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a surrogate mother to many in our community. I am a physically disabled person from birth and over the past three years I have experienced derogatory statements about my facial features, my physical disabilities and false statements to my employer threatening the economic stability of family. Related to these attacks the Federal DOJ has received reports, the California DOJ has received reports, the Antioch Police Department has received reports, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has received reports, and the Contra Costa County District Attorney Office has received reports. These agencies are actively investigating threats and actions made by community members in Antioch, surrounding cities, as well as local elected Officials.
Despite these attacks, my work on the commission has been transformational and has clearly defined Constitutional non bias policing in the City of Antioch starting with the following actions I have taken. I have been present, prepared, and attentive to the needs of those impacted negatively by policing in Antioch since my appointment. I have spent time reviewing the budget, policies, practices, and procedures of the police department and due to my due diligence, I have made credible recommendations like increasing mental health services for officers, increasing staff to meet these needs with a sense of urgency, and increased community engagement in our highest needs communities to foster trust and transparency.
I have been an advocate and activist, fighting for the civil rights of everyone. I have marched in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Georgia, the Carolinas, with Ceasar Chavez and the farmworkers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and many more activists since I was 8 years old. I can assure the City of Antioch and all my supporters that I will continue my advocacy and activism as a private citizen uninhibited by bureaucracy and the status quo.
Former Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner
Leslie D. May
UPDATE: The following statement was released by Antioch City Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker
Previous Stories:
On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council will discuss the removal of Commissioner Leslie May from the Antioch Police Oversight Commission.
The recommendation comes after Commissioner Leslie May spoke during an Antioch City Council meeting on January 17 where she made several racial slurs during a defense of then city attorney Thoma Loyd Smith–who resigned.
This prompted Antioch City Councilmember Don Freitas to call on a public apology from May while also suggesting she resign (video below).
According to the agenda:
it is recommended that the City Council consider removing Commissioner Leslie May from the Antioch Police Oversight Commission effective immediately.
Antioch Municipal Code (AMC) § 2-5.202 states that members of boards and commissions serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed by majority vote of the City Council if properly noticed on the public portion of a City Council Agenda.
AMC § 4-3.104 states that members of the Police Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Council.
Meanwhile, on February 3, Antioch Police Oversight Commission Chair Porshe Taylor requested they discuss an emergency item which was added to agenda in order to discuss “racial slurs”. Ultimately, the commission agreed to work on “etiquette” for all members of the commission. They are also going to look into training.
Taylor said she did watch the video and believed what was said by May was “misconstrued” however “it should not have been said.”
Commissioner Alicia Dianne Lacey-Oha said the racial slurs and examples used were made at the wrong time because it was not the right platform.
“What happened on that night, its unacceptable and I don’t care what nobody says, there is a level of respect that we have to show when we come into these meetings. That was the wrong platform to use to start using examples,” said Lacey-Oha. “It was the wrong platform.”
The full Antioch Police Oversight Commisison Commentary is below.
Freitas Calls for Apology, Resignation of May
Antioch City Councilmember Don Freitas requested an apology and suggested Commissioner Leslie May simply resign (second of two videos below) — May used a racial slur multiple times during public comments on January 17.
“As chair of the Antioch Police Oversight Commission addressing a deeply concerning matter that has not only impacted our commission, but the trust of several community members that we serve. It is with great disappointment that I learned about words that were said. The behavior was not what I expected and on behalf of this full commission, I apologize to the community. Our role as commissioners is to serve with integrity, impartiality and unwavering commitment to justice. The ordinance that governs this commission is clear. We are here to ensure accountability, transparency, and fairness in matters of policing. The responsibility requires us to uphold the highest ethical standards and to conduct ourselves without bias or prejudice. Any deviation from this standard not only discredits the hard work that we put in as commissioners but also threatens the progress that we are striving to achieve. As chair, I recognize the importance of addressing situations like this with both urgency and accountability. Moving forward, I will be implementing an agreement of etiquette for all members of this commission to ensure that our conduct aligns with our mission and values outlined in our ordinance. The commissions work is far too important for it to be overshadowed by simple bad decisions and I will not allow it to deter us from the mission at hand.”
Antioch Police Oversight Commission Discusses “Racial Slur”
Background
At the November 18 police oversight commission meeting, May alleged Antioch Police Department officers were placing Thin Blue Line stickers on vehicles and wanted an investigation. Later, Chief Brian Addington confirmed the rumbling were not true. However, what is on a police vehicle is a special flag on a K9 vehicle that has the canine’s name on it. Chief Addington also confirmed they will be adding the American Flag to all marked vehicle
At the November 12 meeting, May also spoke during public comments alleging just like the military and cities, “its always calling on the black folks to come in here and save the day when you mess up everything.”
Meanwhile, at the March 12 city council meeting, May referred to Councilmember Mike Barbanica, Interim Police Chief Brian Addington and Antioch Mayoral Candidate Ron Bernal as the “Three Thugateers” during public comments. (see video)
The city council has removed former commissioners in the past for various reasons.
Most recently, in May of 2020, Ken Turnage II was removed from the planning commission over comments he made about Covid19. Meanwhile, in February 2016, Lamar Thorpe was removed from the Economic Development Commission as well as serving as Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s alternate on the City Council. He was removed because of his involvement with the Card Room Initiative, sponsored by the California Grand Casino in Pacheco (CA) and is in the electoral process in the City of Antioch.
The Antioch Police Oversight Commission (APOC) was established to enhance transparency, accountability, and trust between the Antioch Police Department (APD) and the community it serves
Previous Stories involving Leslie May over the past year.
- May 30, 2024 – Newly Introduced Antioch Police Officers Given Chilly Welcome
Leslie May – brought up a new lawsuit filed against Pittsburg Police and Chief Brian Addington for an incident that occurred two-years ago. She then stated she had no confidence in Chief Addington. “You have disgusted me, you lied to me and I trusted you. You need to step down. You have no business whatsoever being over this city.” She called him “not even human, to me, you are an animal”. - April 9, 2024 – Antioch Crime Commissioner Issues Warning to Community
- March 19, 2024 – Hot Mic: Antioch Mayor Calls Resident “Fool” and a “Clown”
- Feb 12, 2024 – Antioch Set to Make Appointments to Police Oversight Commission
Previous
- Feb 6 – Antioch to Consider Removal of Police Oversight Commissioner
- Feb 4 – Antioch Police Oversight Commission Discuss “Racial Slur”
- Jan 17 – Freitas Wants Antioch Code of Conduct, Resignation of Oversight Commissioner
