Ex-Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Running for City Council Seat

Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong speaks to members of the press and supporters at Acts Full Gospel Church, in Oakland, Calif., on Feb. 5, 2023. (Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

The former chief of police for the City of Oakland—who was fired last year by Mayor Sheng Thao accusing him of mishandling two misconduct cases for a police officer—announced his candidacy for the Oakland City Council May 22.

“The Oakland that raised me is spiraling downward and repeated calls from residents expressing their frustration with status-quo politicians motivated me to continue to serve the city I know and love,” LeRonne Armstrong said on his campaign website after his announcement.

Ms. Thao, fired Mr. Armstrong, citing a report by an independent police monitor accusing him of the mismanagement.

However, the claim was later rejected by an outside arbitrator. Mr. Armstrong then filed a lawsuit against the city and the mayor in February, accusing them of wrongful termination.

Currently, Floyd Mitchell, former chief of police in Lubbock, Texas, holds the position of police chief in Oakland.

Born and raised in Oakland, Mr. Armstrong, 51, served in law enforcement for over two decades before being appointed police chief in 2021 by then-Mayor Libby Schaaf.

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“As police chief, I’ve had access to community members across the city. And so many people have asked me to run from different areas of the city and I thought it was important that I represent the entire city,” Mr. Armstrong said during a press conference outside Oakland City Hall Wednesday.

He added that his experience leading the Oakland Police Department, the city’s largest department, would be valuable in navigating city finances and addressing the rising crime rates and homelessness issues.

“As a city councilmember, Armstrong will reassure residents, business owners and neighborhoods that there’s somebody in office that actually understands public safety and is focused on making sure that Oakland is a safe city,” Mr. Armstrong’s public relations spokesperson, Sam Singer, said Wednesday in an email to The Epoch Times.

According to the police department, violent crime increased by 21 percent in 2023 from the previous year, with robberies, overall, up by 40 percent and residential robberies, specifically, up by 71 percent.

The year also saw a rise in car thefts, with nearly 15,000 vehicles stolen—a 45 percent increase from 2022 and a 229 percent surge from 2019. Additionally, about 14,000 vehicles were reported broken into during the same period.

The uptick in crime has also led some businesses to choose to leave.

Last fall, Target closed its downtown Oakland store as a result of more than 100 smash-and-grab thefts in 2023. In-N-Out Burger’s sole location in the city also closed in January—the first closure in the company’s history—citing rampant burglaries and armed robberies. Additionally, a Denny’s location in Oakland shut down recently as a result of crime.

“What is happening today in Oakland is unacceptable. Crime, violence, small businesses and homeowners being attacked, beaten, and burglarized,” said Mr. Singer, the spokesperson.

Mr. Armstrong filed his candidacy for an at-large seat—currently held by Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan—Wednesday at the City Clerk’s office.

Besides the former chief, eight candidates have already entered the race for the seat.

It is unclear whether incumbent Ms. Kaplan will seek reelection. She did not return an immediate request for information.

The election for the seat will be held Nov. 5.