This November, Oakland residents will be asked to vote on whether to strengthen the powers of the city’s police commission.
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, there is popular support for the measure.
“I think it’s a good step,” said Oakland City Council Member Nikki Fortunado Bas.
Bas told KCBS Radio that if passed, the measure will give the city's police commission even greater independence and authority.
“It allows the police commission to have an inspector general, and to have their own attorneys and staff that can help them do the work that they have a mandate to do, in terms of police oversight,” she said.
One Oaklander said she would vote for any measure that increases police accountability.
"That's what the comission should be about: investigating and holding them accountable," said the Oakland resident. "Because, I think once they are accountable, they will take their jobs more seriously."
By a unanimous vote, the city council also removed a clause in the charter amendment that would have given the police chief the power to override the police commission and the city council in emergencies.