Mayor Ends OPD Use Of Confidential Records

OAKLAND, CA — Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf says she has ended a Police Department practice in which applicants for officer positions were asked to authorize the release of their confidential records, including those that would disclose whether they were victims of sexual assault.

Schaaf said in a statement released Sunday night, "Additionally, I directed the department to partner with the Oakland Police Commission to conduct a top-to-bottom review of the department's recruitment and hiring process to ensure no other barriers discourage the hiring of women or minority applicants."

The mayor said, "Sexual assault survivors have persevered through trauma, and their resilience is a character quality we respect, honor, and welcome in Oakland."

The practice of asking applicants to authorize the release of their confidential records was disclosed in a San Francisco Chronicle story.

The Oakland Police Department didn't respond to a request for comment on the matter.

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— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock