Community Police Review Board Meeting Summary – April 22, 2026
Community Police Review Board Meeting Summary – April 22, 2026
Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as April 15, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is April 22, 2026. The following content is based on the April 15, 2026 meeting materials.
The San Leandro Community Police Review Board (CPRB) met on April 22, 2026 (noted as April 15, 2026 in official documents) at 6:00 PM in the Surlene Grant Community Room. The meeting included a public comment period, a review of the police department’s annual military equipment report (AB 481), a report from the Independent Police Auditor (IPA), and a discussion of future agenda items. The board also addressed recent media coverage of a use-of-force incident and the resignation of a board member.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the March 18, 2026 meeting (Item 26-170) were approved unanimously (6-0) with no corrections or omissions.
Public Comments & Testimony
Four members of the public spoke during the public comment period, which was moved before the consent calendar by consensus:
- Stephen Tao (resident, homeowner, advocate) expressed concern about the December 2024 incident involving Shaquille Coleman, describing it as a kidnapping and assault. He criticized the police department’s conduct and highlighted the financial impact on the city, including litigation costs of approximately $100,000 per month over the past 10 years. He urged the board to address what he called a pattern of misconduct.
- Douglas Bondon (last name clarified later in the meeting) expressed disappointment over the leaks to ABC News, stating they eroded trust. He called for a public acknowledgment from the city about the incident and corrective actions, even without naming individuals. He also named former POA president Michael Oliveira as the source of the leaks.
- Chris Burbank (40-year resident) acknowledged the Ohlone people and offered prayers for the police department. He noted a decline in the police force over 40 years and attributed it to racism. He urged protection for Police Chief Angela Averiett and criticized attorney Michael Reigns for representing a majority of police cases against citizens.
- Karina Lamar raised a follow-up about a substantiated complaint from February 2025 regarding a police officer who falsified records. She sought an update on what actions were taken in such cases.
- An email from Benjamin Rowe was acknowledged by the board, objecting to Flock Safety cameras and advocating for alternative license plate reader technologies.
Discussion Items
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Chair’s Personal Statement on Leaks – Chair Bob Bailey made a personal statement regarding ABC News reports on the Shaquille Coleman incident (December 2024) and an alleged hit-and-run involving Chief Averiett. He questioned the timing, motive, and beneficiaries of the leaks, suggesting they may be part of a campaign similar to one that targeted former Chief Abdul Friggin. He emphasized the importance of protecting officer confidentiality and criticized the leaks as potentially irresponsible and harmful to community trust. Chair Bailey also noted that the city could not address the matter as a confidential personnel issue.
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Police Department Report – Chief Angela Averiett (attending virtually) and Assistant Police Chief Luis Torres provided updates:
- Hiring: Three lateral officers in background, one hired starting May 1, one recruit starting academy in June, five others in process. Four officers slated to graduate from Contra Costa Sheriff’s Academy on July 10, two from Alameda County Sheriff’s Academy (May 11 and August 24).
- Policy Updates: De-escalation, use of force, pursuit, and First Amendment assembly policies delayed due to personnel changes and a Lexipol system incompatibility after legislative changes. The AI report policy is under review but not yet published.
- Organizational Assessment: A community focus group will be held on Sunday, April 26, from 1:00-2:30 PM at the same location, facilitated by Meloria Public Safety Consultants.
- Chief Averiett read a full statement provided to ABC7 News regarding the investigations into complaints against her and the December 2024 use-of-force incident. She stated that corrective actions were taken for policy violations but could not discuss personnel matters. She reaffirmed her commitment to accountability and reform.
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Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Report – Denise Lewis of IntegrAssure presented the March 2026 monthly report. The report includes data on uses of force, pursuits, complaints, RIPA data, and Flock camera activity. Key points:
- The IPA reviews all pursuits, use-of-force incidents, and complaints. Reports now include a monthly activity summary (calls for service, citations, arrests).
- A backlog of pursuit and use-of-force reviews has been addressed; the goal is to have reviews completed within two weeks of incident occurrence. Recent delays were due to supervisor back-and-forth and a shortage of captains. A newly promoted captain is expected to improve turnaround.
- One complaint was received by the department in March, and three were under IPA review. No agreed-upon courses of action (AUCAs) were issued for complaints.
- The Flock camera activity highlights were omitted from the report due to the crime analyst’s absence, but are expected in future reports.
- Board members noted the improved detail in the monthly report and agreed to review materials in advance and submit questions to the IPA directly to avoid Brown Act issues.
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Ad Hoc Committee Reports – Community Outreach committee (Member Chang) reported that a booth at the Cherry Festival is confirmed and that farmers market outreach is being coordinated. Crowd Control and Pursuits committees had no updates pending policy information from the department.
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Annual Review of SLPD AB 481 Military Equipment Policy (Item 26-172) – Assistant Chief Torres presented the 2025 annual report on military equipment inventory and use. No vote was required; the item was for discussion and information. Key highlights:
- No community complaints or policy violations related to military equipment in 2025.
- Equipment categories: drones (deployed 65 times in 2025 for warrant service, missing persons, scene documentation), armored vehicle (MetaVac) used 19 times in tactical situations and at 4 community events, a 20-year-old mobile command post not deployed due to repair issues (a newer command vehicle used instead), beanbag shotgun deployed 5 times (17 rounds, 2 rounds used against a subject who was hit in the legs and medically cleared), flashbangs used on 2 warrants, and newly acquired kinetic breaching tools (two, not yet used).
- Breaching shotguns were removed from inventory after the kinetic tools were acquired.
- No use of tear gas in 2025.
- Costs for each piece of equipment are listed on the city’s transparency portal.
- A public comment from Douglas Bondon questioned the need to replace the older command post given budget constraints and suggested holding off on new purchases.
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Future Agenda Planning – The board discussed adding a discussion item on Flock Safety technology to the May 20, 2026 meeting, prompted by Benjamin Rowe’s email and previous board interest. A motion was made by Member Stroud, seconded by Vice Chair Gibbs, to add the item, and it passed unanimously (6-0). The next meeting will also include ad hoc committee updates, a training module on constitutional policing with the IPA (30-minute presentation), and preparation for the annual report due to the city council in June.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar adopted (6-0) for March 18, 2026 minutes.
- Motion to add Flock Safety discussion to May 20, 2026 meeting agenda carried (6-0).
- The AB 481 military equipment annual report was presented for information only; no formal action taken.
- The board acknowledged the resignation of member Victor Krevocheza effective April 14, 2026.
- The IPA report format was approved and will be used moving forward; board members will submit questions before future meetings.
- The next regular CPRB meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
For the clerk's benefit, all our regular members are present. Absent is our youth representative Casey. Also actually amend that. I got noticed yesterday that Victor Shaza, who was the mayor's appointee, has resigned for personal reasons. I think some things he just didn't anticipate when he accepted these offer. So hopefully the mayor will find somebody else soon. Under announcements, um I'm going to make a statement, but first I just want to, for those who may be curious why you know the ABC TV news stories are not on our agenda. Um part it's because uh even if we're on the agenda, the city can't address it because they're considered confidential personnel matters. Um it's been out there in public, that doesn't the city still has responsibly to protect confidentiality. So we're abiding by that. However, I do want to make a personal statement. Um I'm choosing to speak on the matter as an individual member of the CPRB representing the community. My remarks do not speak to the CPRB as a whole, but I believe they are consistent with the CMP. CPRB's mission to promote transparency, accountability, and community trust. Like others, I've heard from in the community, I'm appalled by the treatment of the homeless person Shaquille Coleman in December of 24. We in the community are right to be embarrassed for our city and to reject the conduct as contrary to our values. My understanding though is that once that this incident was brought to the attention of the chief, it was thoroughly investigated, including a review by the independent police auditor, and corrective action was taken against the officers involved. Apparently, that wasn't good enough for some. So my questions and concerns focus on the leaks to the press. Number one, why now? That story broken. Uh we can March 30th, 15 minutes, 15 months after the Coleman incident. Number two, what's the motive? Number three, who benefits. But let me say, in my view, it is certainly not the community. I'll refrain from commenting much further on what I see as sensationalist journalism, other than to note that these questions apparently were of no interest to that reporter. To me, this appears to be very similar to the playbook used by certain members of the BOA police officers association in its campaign to undermine and remove Chief Abdul Friggin, our first black chief. And as we know, that led to lawsuits for both uh from both Chief Frigent and former city manager Fran Romostelli and caused immense turmoil on our city council. My concerns and fears are that these recent leaks are intended and calculated to achieve the same results with our first black female chief, Angela Everett. I am especially concerned about the common link between the two otherwise unrelated incidents reported by ABC News. Uh Lieutenant Turner, a black female officer who Chief Frident tried to hire, the POA opposed, and Chief Averett later hired. Some may regard these leaks as legitimate whistleblower complaint that deserves protection. But my lame understanding of whistleblower protections is that that only applies if A, the leaker is acting in good faith to report illegal conduct, B, the information leaked is not in violation of security or confidentiality, and three, that the leak leaker first used other available avenues for redress. If Lieutenant Turner and Chief Averett were the targets of these specific leaks, and the leaks happened after the police department properly investigated and investigated the allegations, why proceed to leak the information? That does not sound like good faith to me, nor does it seem to be an exhaustion of other procedural options available before going public. The leak of body word camera video of the Coleman incident on its face jeopardizes the confidentiality protections due to the officers involved in the incident. To me, those officers are collateral damage on what appears to be an effort to target Lieutenant Turner's handling of the situation of the seat. And regarding the Chiefs alleged hit and run out of incident. I've seen the California Highway control back before with its multiple photos of the side of the mirrors of both vehicles. The damage to both was so minor that the CHP report states that they found credible the chief's account that she did not hear any contact at the time. Which perhaps makes the dramatic account by the driver of the other vehicle in front of TV here, which is somewhat suspect to close. I do not wish to trivialize concerns about what was reported by ABC News. But I had serious concerns about the motives and propriety of the leaks on their face. They seem to be irresponsible for self-serving. We'll do an immeasurable harm to the reputation of the city. I'll leave it to others to reach their own conclusions about whether race and gender are factors. Lastly, let me say I feel it's important to put this awful city news in perspective. I hope that raising questions about these leaks now can help bring a stop to such practices that could be so judgmental to our community and which compromise the work of the CPRB to build trust between the community and the police. Thank you. Actually, we have more folks from the public than usual.
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