Oakland Official Advocating Police Budget Cuts Gains Promotion Amid Controversial Vote

In a move stirring up political controversy, an outspoken critic of law enforcement on Oakland’s police oversight commission is once again under scrutiny after being promoted under contentious circumstances. Critics argue that this latest promotion breaches legal protocols.

On March 26, the Oakland Police Commission made headlines by advancing Omar Farmer from an alternate position to a full member. This decision, however, was made without proper public notification, prompting a legal challenge over potential violations of California’s open-meeting law.

The commission is now scheduled to revisit the vote on Thursday. This development follows a formal complaint by Rajni Mandal, an Oakland physician, who filed a demand to “cure and correct” what she perceives as a breach of the Brown Act, the legislation that regulates public meetings in California.

Oakland Report was the first to bring attention to the procedural misstep.

Notably, Farmer’s appointment has been twice rejected by the Oakland City Council, despite the fact that members of this volunteer commission are appointed rather than elected.

“The Police Commission needs people who, number one, put public safety and all of Oakland first,” Mandal said. “Number two, we need people who actually can lead without bias and political influence.”

Farmer has aligned with the Anti Police-Terror Project, which has called for defunding the police and investing in community-based alternatives. That stance has made him a target of critics who argue the commission is out of step with residents demanding more police presence.

A recent survey found that 92.1% of Oakland’s black respondents identified crime and public safety as a concern — the highest level recorded for any issue among any demographic group surveyed. 

Councilmember Ken Houston called the third attempt to keep Farmer on the commission “disrespectful” and akin to an abusive relationship, where city officials and woke public safety advocates keep butting heads despite Farmer twice being rejected.

“I represent the most underserved community that exists in Oakland, and it’s been like that for decades,” Houston said. “My constituents are scared and they want policing.”

He added, “My daughter can’t even walk to the store in her own neighborhood. We want protection just like everybody else.”

Councilmember Kevin Jenkins also expressed concerns about the process.

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“These are serious issues. Oakland residents deserve confidence that all appointments, especially those tied to public safety oversight, follow the law and are conducted openly and appropriately,” Jenkins said in a statement to The Post, adding that he contacted City Attorney Ryan Richardson to review the situation.

“This is about maintaining trust in our institutions. I will continue to monitor this closely and ensure accountability moving forward.“

The City Council confirms four regular commissioners and one alternate, while the mayor appoints three regular commissioners and one alternate.

Mayor Barbara Lee did not respond to a request for comment on Farmer’s appointment, nor did the City Attorney’s Office.

In a letter to city officials last fall, Mandal laid out a detailed list of allegations against Farmer, arguing his conduct has repeatedly exceeded the commission’s authority. Oakland last rejected Farmer’s appointment in October 2025 after a shallow search was conducted for worthy applications.

Mandal claimed Farmer has “repeatedly overstepped his authority” as defined in the City Charter, improperly intervened in labor negotiations with the city’s police union, and attempted to break public meeting laws by pushing for votes on items that were not properly placed on the agenda.

Mandal also raised concerns about Farmer having a personal complaint against the Oakland Police Department while participating in oversight discussions involving the agency.

“Commissioner Farmer’s record of overreach, staff interference, Brown Act violations, and unauthorized communications makes him unfit for reappointment,” Mandal wrote.

Farmer declined The Post’s request for comment when contacted.