Oakland is currently grappling with a significant budget deficit of $93 million, a matter that was recently highlighted during an Oakland City Council meeting. A major contributing factor to this deficit is the overspending by the Oakland Police Department (OPD), projected to exceed its budget by $51.9 million, or 16%, primarily due to overtime expenses.
The primary reason for this overspending can be attributed to understaffing within the OPD, leading to an increased demand for service which necessitates overtime work. In 2023 alone, OPD responded to 1.2 million service calls but had only 678 sworn officers available. This number is a stark decline from over 800 officers just a few years ago. A potential budget cut could further decrease the number of officers to around 600, putting additional strain on the department’s already limited resources.
Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong argued that it was unfair to blame the OPD for exceeding its budget. He pointed out that the city administration had been aware as early as July that the department would go over its authorized overtime budget. The city enacted a contingency budget in September, with all city departments, including police and fire, instructed to propose further cost-saving measures by Friday. Any additional cuts would require city council approval by the year’s end. Armstrong emphasized that any reductions should minimize the impact on 911 response and patrol officers. However, he acknowledged that cuts to other units would likely affect the department’s capacity to respond to community requests.
Adding to the department’s challenges is the burden of new accountability mandates, which have increased administrative workload and response times. For instance, a routine traffic stop that previously took 5-10 minutes can now take up to 45 minutes due to the requirements of reporting and body-worn camera documentation.
James Burch, policy director for the Anti Police-Terror Project, criticized the lack of accountability when it comes to OPD’s overtime spending. He pointed to a 2015 city audit that first highlighted concerns about overtime compensation, showing a trend where overtime accruals lead to escalating costs. The 2024 audit suggests that although some changes have been implemented, further adjustments are essential. According to Transparent California, numerous OPD officers earn more from overtime than their base salaries, with some officers’ total earnings reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Burch stressed that paying officers such exorbitant amounts is unsustainable and called for elected officials to address the fundamental issues related to police spending. Significant changes are required to manage the city’s budget effectively, ensuring that public safety does not suffer in the process. Adjustments must be made while upholding the essential services provided to the community.
