No to Bratton: A Rejection of Stop and Frisk, and a Call for Progressive Reform in Oakland

Authors

Robert S. Greer Jr.

Abstract

On January 23, 2012, the City of Oakland voted to retain the services of William Bratton, former police chief of both New York and Los Angeles, as a consultant to the Oakland Police Department. Oakland Community members reacted with concern and resistance to the City's decision, largely due to Bratton's promotion of aggressive stop and frisk search techniques. This note provides an analysis of Bratton's appointment in light of the Oakland Police Department's egregious history of constitutional violations and misconduct charges. Additionally, this note explores the empirical and theoretical flaws underpinning aggressive stop and frisk policies, and demonstrates why adopting Bratton's tactics will not provide the best means of confronting violent crime. What follows is a call for progressive reform that stems from a reciprocal discourse between residents and government.

Recommended Citation

Robert S. Greer Jr., No to Bratton: A Rejection of Stop and Frisk, and a Call for Progressive Reform in Oakland, 11 Hastings Race & Poverty L.J. 223 (2014).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_race_poverty_law_journal/vol11/iss1/5