OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has announced that she will be firing Police Chief LeRonn Armstrong following two misconduct investigations against an officer.
Thao revealed her decision during a news conference on Wednesday.
"Chief Armstrong has my respect and appreciation but I am no longer confident he can do the work," Thao said. "I have decided to separate our chief from the city without cause. This was not an easy decision, but it's one I think it necessary."
Armstrong was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 19, following an investigation into how allegations against Sergeant Michael Chung were handled. Chung was accused of hitting a Mercedes with a police vehicle and not reporting the crash in 2021 and firing his gun in a service elevator in 2022. Armstrong called the crash a mistake.
"It is clear to me that there are systemic issues and the city needs to address them. We cannot simply write them off as mistakes," Thao stated. She called the decision "personally very difficult," but explained that "Oakland is committed to reform because it is the right thing to do."
Thao specified during the announcement that she is separating the city from Armstrong without cause, distancing her decision from the misconduct allegations.
Prior to the announcement, Chief Armstrong was fiercely lobbying to keep his job, calling the criticisms against him "baseless" and "unsupported."
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