OPD Gets a New Interim Chief

Just two days after Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan stepped down citing medical reasons, Sean Whent has been appointed Interim Chief of Police, effective immediately.

 

 

It’s part of a new executive leadership team of the Oakland Police Department announced today by Mayor Jean Quan and City Administrator Deanna J. Santana.

 

Chief Whent is a 17-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department. His most recent job was Deputy Chief and commander of the Bureau of Risk Management with responsibility for overseeing the Training Section, Internal Affairs Division, Office of Inspector General, the Criminalistics Division and the Personnel Assessment Unit.

 

Interim Chief Whent has moved quickly to stabilize the leadership of the Oakland Police Department by announcing the following appointments:

Paul Figueroa: Acting Assistant Chief responsible for day-to-day operations of the Police Department.

Eric Breshears: Deputy Chief, Commander of Bureau of Strategic Initiatives including the Ceasefire program and Compstat.

Danielle Outlaw:  Acting Deputy Chief, Commander of the Bureau of Risk Management, which includes the Training Section, Internal Affairs Division, Office of Inspector General, and Criminalistics Division

David Downing: Acting Deputy Chief, Commander of Bureau of Field Operations

At the time of Howard Jordan’s medical leave the Assistant Chief was Anthony Toribio who said at the press conference today that he made a personal decision to step down to the position of Captain of Police and that he supports the new leadership.

Mayor Quan said a national search for a permanent Chief will begin immediately.  City Administrator Santana estimated the cost of the search at roughly $30,000 and Quan said it may be more as she adds community input to the process.  The Mayor indicated she hoped the appointment would come as soon as possible.

The selection of Whent and his subsequent selection of a leadership team came after consultations with Compliance Director Thomas Frazier.