OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — In a major shakeup for the Oakland Police Department, Police Chief Sean Whent announced his resignation on Thursday night.
The city now has a new interim chief, Ben Fairow, Mayor Libby Schaaf officially announced officially at a news conference on Friday.
In his resignation letter, which was emailed Thursday night, Whent talks about the progress that was made under his watch and the nearly 40 percent decline in shootings and homicides in the past three years. He said, ” I belive the timing is good for me to move on and explore other opportunities.”
Following the news conference, there were almost as many questions that remain about the abrupt resignation of Whent before it began.
Mayor Libby Schaaf is insisting Whent quit for personal reasons. “The chief’s decision to resign was his decision, he stated his reasons in his letter,” she said.
She was equally resolute in her faith that Interim Chief Ben Fairow is the right man to take over the Oakland Police Department.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to help the city maintain the momentum that it’s had in its crime-fighting reduction and reaching out to the community and building those bridges,” Fairow said.
Fairow previously served as a captain in the OPD before moving over to become deputy chief of BART Police.
He says he’ll work quickly to get up to speed.
“It will be a process of getting caught up on the most contemporary issues but I can assure you the momentum that the police department has when it comes to fighting crime and establishing those relationships with the community, it’s going to continue and improve,” Fairow said.
Right now, Fairow is on loan from BART for six months, during which time he has the option to apply for the position permanently.
Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo says he was shocked to find out the chief was leaving last night. He believes all signs point to a man being forced out.
“I think him leaving in that way, in that fashion I think other folks had a lot to do with him leaving,” said Gallo.
Not a subject, but it happened on his watch. Gallo says he may be taking the hit for it.
“I think that had something to do with it. They’re supposed to be the ultimate role model when it comes to obeying the law,” said Gallo.
The Bay Area’s three biggest cities all have replaced their chief since January.
Tony Chaplin became acting chief of San Francisco last month after Greg Suhr was asked to resign. Eddie Garcia became San Jose’s chief of police in March after taking over as acting chief in January when Larry Esquivel retired.
“This is a difficult and critical time for policing in America and obviously the recent events in the Bay Area support that,” Schaaf said.
In Whent’s resignation letter, he goes on to thank the city leaders for the opportunity and said that it was an honor to serve with the police officers and lead them here in Oakland over the past three years.
Schaaf says he will not receive any severance for his resignation.
One question at the briefing was whether Whent simply resigned or if it was related to the recent underage sex scandal.
We know one of two Oakland police officers caught up in the investigation will not be facing charges.
RELATED: Fourth Oakland police officer put on leave in sexual misconduct investigation
Claims of sexual assault surfaced after the suicide of an officer last year.
He left a note naming officers he claimed were sexually involved with an underage daughter of a police dispatcher.
On Friday morning, Schaaf said Whent has never been a subject of the investigation into sexual misconduct and that anyone who has engaged in misconduct will be held fully accountable.
Following the news conference, there were almost as many questions that remain about the abrupt resignation of Whent before it began.
Mayor Libby Schaaf is insisting Whent quit for personal reasons. “The chief’s decision to resign was his decision, he stated his reasons in his letter,” she said.
She was equally resolute in her faith that Interim Chief Ben Fairow is the right man to take over the Oakland Police Department.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to help the city maintain the momentum that it’s had in its crime-fighting reduction and reaching out to the community and building those bridges,” Fairow said.
Fairow previously served as a captain in the OPD before moving over to become deputy chief of BART Police.
He says he’ll work quickly to get up to speed.
“It will be a process of getting caught up on the most contemporary issues but I can assure you the momentum that the police department has when it comes to fighting crime and establishing those relationships with the community, it’s going to continue and improve,” Fairow said.
Right now, Fairow is on loan from BART for six months, during which time he has the option to apply for the position permanently.
Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo says he was shocked to find out the chief was leaving last night. He believes all signs point to a man being forced out.
“I think him leaving in that way, in that fashion I think other folks had a lot to do with him leaving,” said Gallo.
Not a subject, but it happened on his watch. Gallo says he may be taking the hit for it.
“I think that had something to do with it. They’re supposed to be the ultimate role model when it comes to obeying the law,” said Gallo.
The Bay Area’s three biggest cities all have replaced their chief since January.
Tony Chaplin became acting chief of San Francisco last month after Greg Suhr was asked to resign. Eddie Garcia became San Jose’s chief of police in March after taking over as acting chief in January when Larry Esquivel retired.
“This is a difficult and critical time for policing in America and obviously the recent events in the Bay Area support that,” Schaaf said.
In Whent’s resignation letter, he goes on to thank the city leaders for the opportunity and said that it was an honor to serve with the police officers and lead them here in Oakland over the past three years.
Schaaf says he will not receive any severance for his resignation.
One question at the briefing was whether Whent simply resigned or if it was related to the recent underage sex scandal.
We know one of two Oakland police officers caught up in the investigation will not be facing charges.
The Mercury News identified that officer as Terryl Smith.
Claims of sexual assault surfaced after the suicide of an officer last year.
He left a note naming officers he claimed were sexually involved with an underage daughter of a police dispatcher.
On Friday morning, Schaaf said Whent has never been a subject of the investigation into sexual misconduct and that anyone who has engaged in misconduct will be held fully accountable.