Feb 13, 2025 Story by: Editor
ANTIOCH — Meetings of the Antioch police oversight commission will be on hold until at least June as the city seeks a replacement for Commissioner Leslie May following her resignation.
Mayor Ron Bernal, who suggested the temporary pause, stated that three new members need to be appointed to the commission to ensure compliance with the 25-page memorandum of understanding that Antioch signed with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in January. Bernal mentioned on Wednesday that the council will formally address this pause during its upcoming meeting on Feb. 25.
The agreement with the DOJ, which was established in response to a racist-text scandal and alleged misconduct within the Antioch Police Department, mandates that at least five of the seven commission members serve continuously for two years to implement the required reforms.
With May’s resignation on Monday, the commission is now left with only four members.
Before stepping down, May was criticized for using “several racist epithets” to refer to Antioch City Manager Bessie Marie Scott and former City Attorney Thomas Lloyd Smith, both of whom are Black, during a special meeting on Jan. 17.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Bernal proposed creating guidelines for conduct applicable to all elected and appointed officials, including commission and board members. This proposal will be presented to both the council and the community for approval. “I also want to make sure that we have adequate funding for the Antioch police oversight commission and make sure they are getting the training and everything they need,” said Bernal. “So that way, when we do start again in June or so, it is a fully functioning group of individuals running it.”
As per the DOJ agreement, the city is required to provide commission members with the necessary resources, training, and capacity to effectively carry out their duties. This involves collaboration with organizations like the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and other similar oversight bodies to establish a training plan for the commissioners.
Bernal emphasized that he has “no intention” of recommending the removal of any current commissioners, stating that “they are doing a fine job.”
“I’m grateful for what they are doing and have been doing, their work will continue on the ad-hoc while we’re in the process of getting the full commission back together,” said Bernal.
He further noted that the council intends to provide clearer guidelines on the commission’s roles and responsibilities moving forward.
Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker inquired about potential penalties for non-compliance with the DOJ agreement if the commission’s meetings were temporarily halted.
“Is this something that we’ve already discussed with the Department of Justice?” asked Torres-Walker.
Bernal responded that the city had engaged in discussions with the DOJ, and the department “appears to be open” to ensuring the commission is fully staffed and operational.
“We believe that the DOJ will not have a problem with this,” Bernal said. “We will be confirming that this week.”
Torres-Walker also questioned whether the city had informed the state DOJ, which is conducting an investigation into use-of-force incidents involving Antioch Police Department officers, about the potential pause.
Bernal admitted he was “not sure” about that.
The Antioch police oversight commission plays a vital role under the federal DOJ agreement by assisting in shaping and updating policies, procedures, and training to ensure non-discriminatory policing practices.
Additionally, both the city manager and the police department are required to consult with the oversight commission annually to assess the department’s hiring and recruitment strategies and recommend any necessary modifications.
The police department will also collaborate with the oversight commission and the DOJ’s Community Relations Service to develop a community engagement plan. This plan will outline strategies for public outreach, enhance transparency, and educate residents about police responsibilities, the risks involved in law enforcement, and key issues such as investigatory stops, arrests, searches, and seizures. Source: The Mercury News
