The Antioch, California, City Council recently voted 3–2 to transfer authority for the hiring, firing and assessment of future police chiefs from the city manager’s office.
The decision comes as a response to mounting concerns and past issues surrounding the Antioch Police Department’s conduct and accountability.
The move also comes after the announcement of former Police Chief Steven Ford’s retirement on July 19, effective August 11, as well as several indictments against former Antioch officers by the U.S. Department of Justice due to various civil rights violations, including the inappropriate use of force, misuse of police dogs and even steroid distribution.
Currently, the positions of city manager and police chief remained unoccupied within Antioch.
Cornelius Johnson, the former city manager, resigned in July after being placed on administrative leave since March 14.
Johnson, a former member of the San Francisco police force without prior city administrative experience, faced challenges during his tenure, notably being suspended after a former city public information officer incorrectly attributed statements to Ford in a press release concerning commercial burglaries.
Acting Chief Joe Vigil took over from Ford, while Kwame Reed assumed the role of acting city manager.
The impetus for this power shift within the City Council stems, in part, from the tragic death of Angelo Quinto at the hands of the police in 2020.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe indicated that this incident compelled certain councilmembers to seek a more direct approach involving community engagement and accountability.
Thorpe also criticized the City Council for failing to rein in the police department’s actions.
“The residents of this community have demanded the change that we’re making here today, if the council continues to go in this direction, because for decades, residents … have allowed this council to get away with murder,” Thorpe said in a statement.
However, dissenting voices, such as Councilmembers Michael Barbanica and Lori Ogorchock, expressed reservations about the decision.
“I don’t want a police department to become a political arm of the city,” Barbanica, a former police officer, said. “I’m not talking about just this council, but also future councils as well. I would rather there’s a buffer between the council and the police chief, and that the police chief reports, and is evaluated and hired directly, by the city manager, who is hired by us.”
However, Barbanica admitted that change was necessary. “Should we hold officers accountable? Absolutely. Should we hold the city manager accountable for the police chief that he or she hires and the actions of that chief and that department? Absolutely. I don’t believe historically that that has occurred at the level that it should,” he said.
Thorpe also raised concerns about transparency, stating that the City Council had been uninformed during recent crises within the police department, including suspensions of officers investigated by the FBI and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. He believes that such barriers hindered effective oversight.
The new arrangement will take effect 90 days following the second reading of the ordinance, allowing the City time to appoint an interim police chief and facilitate a seamless transition.
