• Oakland police chief Leanne Armstrong was accused over the alleged cover-up of an officer’s misconduct. 
• The Oakland Police department has lost its seventh police chief in as many years, 
• Democratic Mayor Sheng Thao announced that she was firing Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong after an investigation concluded that the chief and the department failed to investigate and discipline a sergeant, Michael Chung.
• Armstrong’s termination came a month after he was put on administrative leave following dereliction of duty allegations that he failed to act appropriately on the misconduct by one of his officers.
• Community advocates and faith leaders rallied in support of Armstrong, with some calling for the new Mayor to be recalled. Others want Armstrong back on the job.

Oakland police chief Leanne Armstrong was accused over the alleged cover-up of an officer’s misconduct. 

The Oakland Police department has lost its seventh police chief in as many years, threatening to prolong two decades of federal oversight. 

Democratic Mayor Sheng Thao announced at a news conference that she was firing police chief LeRonne Armstrong after an investigation concluded that the chief and the department failed to investigate and discipline a sergeant, Michael Chung.

He was reported to be involved in a hit-and-run with his patrol car and fired his service weapon inside an elevator at police headquarters in a separate incident. 

Thao stated that she wants to be confident that the police chief in Oakland will be influential “in making improvements that the federal monitor, the federal court and the people of Oakland can recognize.”

“I am no longer confident that Chief Armstrong can do the work needed to achieve the vision,” Thao said on Wednesday.

Advocates and faith leaders rallied outside city hall in support of former Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, who was fired without cause on Wednesday by Mayor Sheng Thao.

Armstrong’s termination came a month after he was put on administrative leave following dereliction of duty allegations that he failed to act appropriately on the misconduct by one of his officers. 

Shortly after the firing, Armstrong released a statement saying that his termination was “fundamentally wrong, unjustified, and unfair.” 

Community advocates and faith leaders rallied in support of Armstrong, with some calling for the new Mayor to be recalled. Others want Armstrong back on the job.

The Oakland Police Commissioners, who were set to hold a disciplinary meeting on the chief, respected the Mayor’s decision to release Armstrong without cause, saying in a statement that they were sorry to lose an influential reform-minded head who led the OPD into compliance in 51 out of 52 tasks of the negotiated settlement agreement. 

The OPD has been under federal oversight for two decades. In a new written statement, Armstrong says he is continuing to evaluate his legal options to preserve his rights and hard-earned reputation.

Advocates are now pointing fingers at the Mayor, saying that their voices were ignored in the matter. 

Mayor Thao declined to comment on Armstrong Thursday. Another rally in support of Armstrong is scheduled for Monday morning at Oakland City Hall.