Council Hails Court Ruling Lifting Federal Oversight of Oakland PD after 23 Years

The Bay Area Council hailed a court ruling on Tuesday (Sept. 29) lifting federal oversight of the Oakland Police Department after 23 years. The ruling came after the city demonstrated substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of a National Settlement Agreement (NSA) related to a class action civil rights lawsuit.

“Today’s ruling lifting federal oversight of the Oakland Police Department opens an exciting new chapter for the city and represents more than two decades of hard work, dedication and leadership to rebuild trust and accountability with the community,” said Bay Area Council President and CEO Libby Schaaf, who served as Mayor of Oakland from 2015 to 2023. “This is not an end but a beginning for Oakland and an opportunity to continue improving and strengthening public safety.”

In a 2025 report examining the impact of public safety concerns on local business and economic activity, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found that federal oversight and the administrative burden it placed on the city and police department was one of three key structural barriers to improved public safety and economic recovery.

The NSA, stemming from the Delphine Allen et al. v. City of Oakland case, was established to require constitutional policing reforms at OPD. In a letter submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the Bay Area Council urged the court to establish a clear and expeditious process for ending federal supervision. The letter argued that, while the NSA produced critically important reforms, Oakland and OPD are well-positioned to sustain constitutional policing and meaningful accountability beyond federal oversight. To engage in the Council’s public safety work, please contact Vice President Laura Hill.