80 Oakland Police Officers To Be Rehired Pending A Controversial Ballot Measure

Oakland police officers have come to an agreement that will not only prevent layoffs, but one that will rescind 80 layoffs that were laid off. 122 further layoffs have been avoided as the Oakland Police Officers Association agreed to pay an addition seven percent toward their pension funds.

The association made the agreement with City Council, which also includes a new ballot measure in November. The measure, if passed, would require property owners in Oakland to pay a $360 parcel tax.

“It guarantees no layoffs of people, it helps bring the 80 officers back that were laid off and it keeps the 122 oficers that were threatened to be laid off, it keeps them here for three years,” speaking for Dom Arotzarena from the Oakland Police Officers Association.

While the police officers’ support, along with the majority of the council that backs the measure, will all but certainly put the measure on the ballot, some council members are opposing it.

Oakland Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente is among those who oppose the measure. “I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think it has a chance and I think that the city of Oakland like everybody else have to do more with less, like everybody, like every homeowner in the city,” De La Fuente said.

“I understand it’s tough,” said Artozarena. “But I do know that my members are going to take a larger hit.”