A 30-year veteran officer, Beere promised to take care of the various reforms instituted after previous misconduct and corruption scandals.
James Beere, then-Assistant Chief of Police with the Oakland Police Division, speaks at a press convention at Oakland Metropolis Corridor on Oct. 23, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)
“Immediately’s appointment is about greater than choosing a police chief — it’s about renewing our dedication to the folks of Oakland,” Lee stated in a press release. “James Beere embraces significant civilian oversight and constitutional policing, values collaboration with our neighborhoods, companies, and religion leaders, and is absolutely ready to guide on day one.”
Earlier public security leaders have come underneath sharp scrutiny for main corruption scandals and considerations over crime, however the brand new chief is moving into the official function with widespread assist.
“ Not lots of people agree on many issues in Oakland, however all of us agree on Beere,” Metropolis Council President Kevin Jenkins stated.
Beere joined the Oakland Police Division in 1997 and has labored key roles in vice and narcotics earlier than rising to sergeant in crime discount and intelligence models. He commanded the drive’s legal investigations division earlier than serving as former assistant chief of police.
Councilmember Zac Unger praised Beere for being “instrumental” to Oakland’s declining crime charges and supporting the town’s Operation Ceasefire gun violence prevention initiative.
“He’s a steady decide. He has the belief of the group. He has the belief of our law enforcement officials. And I believe he’s the best individual to guide us into the subsequent part of OPD,” Unger stated.
Lee chosen Beere from 4 candidates after a recruitment course of led by the town’s police fee and retired Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn.
Beere stated that he doesn’t count on a lot to alter now that his place is everlasting and can proceed to give attention to decreasing crime, recruiting new officers and constitutional policing.
He additionally promised to take care of the various reforms instituted since a police misconduct scandal shook group belief in 2000. Greater than 100 folks sued OPD, accusing a gaggle of officers often known as the “Riders” of beating, kidnapping and planting medicine on them.
The division agreed to a negotiated settlement settlement in 2003, which included coming into compliance with 51 duties to reshape the division’s tradition and coverage underneath federal oversight.
In Might, a courtroom monitor discovered that the division had reached full compliance, and OPD is ready for a listening to the place it may regain independence within the fall.
“ I’ve seen the worst, however I’ve additionally seen the very best,” Beere stated. “I’m a product of the negotiated settlement settlement. And if we’re taken out of courtroom oversight in September, the negotiated settlement settlement’s not going away.”
He stated the reforms are “ stitched into the material” of the division.
John Burris, an legal professional who introduced that case and spent a long time overseeing OPD’s progress towards attaining the reforms, stated that as a veteran of the division, Beere understands the reforms.
“I believe that we’ve got confidence that when crises do occur and do happen, which they are going to, he’ll deal with them in a fashion that’s in line with the overall orders which are relevant,” Burris stated. “Not present a sort of favoritism and make choices primarily based upon his relationship with numerous officers, versus following the foundations which were laid out by the NSA.”
Beere’s appointment nonetheless must be authorized by the town council, which is predicted July 17.
KQED’s Desmond Meagley contributed to this report.
