CITY OF OAKLAND

Memorandum

TO:
ATTN:
FROM:
DATE:

Bureau of Field Operations

Deputy Chief Oliver Cunningham
Lieutenant Bobby Hookfin
22 May 15

RE:

After Action Report for march/demonstration on 21 May 15

_________________________________________________________________
Date of Operation
Time Period
Location of Event

21 May 15
1900-2100
14th & Broadway to 455 7th Street

Name of Event

#1: Emeryville Officer involved shooting protest, 3800 Hollis St.

Emeryville @ 1630
#2: JusticeForRekia (Black Lives Matter) 14th & Broadway @1900
hours. These two groups merged into one at Frank Ogawa Plaza.
21 May 15, Minority women killed by law enforcement
demonstrations
891
N/A
Captain D. Allison/D.C. Cunningham

Name of Operation
Incident Number
Report Number(s)
Incident Commander

Background Information

What information and/or incident(s) occurred which

caused the event and/or operation? How many subjects or
protesters were expected?

Situation General:

Situation Specific:
Throughout the last few months, there have been several rallies, demonstrations, and marches. These
incidents have centered on police brutality, mass incarceration, and/or other social issues. The majority of
these events have occurred without incident. The most recent event (May Day, 01 May 15), was peaceful
until the evening, when acts of violence including vandalism and assaults on officers occurred.

1
OPDPRR0615EBX01000021

No permits have been sought but TNT will attempt contact and dialogue with identified leaders.
In addition to the protests, there is a one noteworthy event occurring in Oakland:

NBA Playoffs: Warriors vs. Houston commencing at 1800 hours.

There were no permits obtained for the events.

Objectives

What were the primary objectives and sub-tasks for this

event?

Mission
The Mission of the Oakland Police Department (OPD) was to conduct crowd management for the events
on 17 Jan 15 with the assistance of other City departments and outside law enforcement agencies, if
needed. The mission was conducted with an effort to achieve the following overarching goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Protect life;
Maintain Officer Safety;
Protect vital facilities;
Protect property;
Maintain Public Peace and Order; and
Uphold Constitutional Rights of Free Speech and Lawful Assembly while relying on the
minimum use of physical force and authority required to address crowd management and crowd
control issues.

Commanders Intent
This operations purpose was to facilitate planned or spontaneous and lawful rallies and marches in
compliance with Department policy as directed in Training Bulletin III-G, OPD Crowd Control and
Crowd Management Policy. Violent behavior, major destruction/vandalism of property, and other
criminal activity would not be tolerated; those who participate in such acts would be arrested if and when
safe to do so.
OPD intended to execute this police operation in a cooperative manner and, to the extent possible, without
requiring the use of force. To that end, OPD would try to identify group leaders/organizers/coordinators
and to initiate dialogue to seek their cooperation. The OPD Tactical Negotiations Team would carry out
this task. Any response to this event was contingent on the amount of protesters/marchers and their
behavior. If clear violations of the law were observed, it would remain the Incident Commander/Operation
Commanders discretion whether an arrest was made or not. Arrests would be made only if safe to do so.
The Incident Commander would be responsible for the overall Command and Control of this operation.
Strong supervision and command are essential to maintaining a unified, measured, and effective police
response. Impulsive or independent actions by officers are to be avoided. Police personnel must maintain
professional demeanor and remain neutral in word and deed despite unlawful or anti-social behavior on
the part of crowd members. Unprofessional police behavior can inflame a tense situation and make crowd
control efforts more difficult and dangerous.
OPD would endeavor to enforce applicable laws and arrest specific individuals who were committing
crimes. In the event of a declaration of an unlawful assembly, OPD would disperse crowds in an orderly
manner to predetermined egress routes and arrest individuals who failed to disperse.
Repeated announcements would be made advising them of our intent to arrest them if they did not leave.
Announcements would be made in different locations if the crowd was large and noisy. Sufficient time

2
OPDPRR0615EBX01000022

would be allotted for those who wish to leave before any further police action is taken. Those remaining
and refusing to leave would be cited or arrested.
OPD would follow and request all law enforcement agencies participating pursuant to a mutual aid
request to follow OPD policies respecting crowd control management, unlawful assemblies, use of
chemical agents and less-lethal impact munitions, use of force, arrests and transporting in-custody
individuals to jail. Responding units would be briefed on the operation at the staging location and their
crowd control munitions will be inspected. Chemical agents may be used to disperse riotous crowds
ONLY at the direction of the Incident Commander. Use of chemical agents could be deployed at the
supervisor and MFF command level under exigent circumstances.
Key Tasks
The following was our list of our mission-essential tasks:
Gather information on the intent and plans of the event organizers.
Attempt dialogue with event organizers/liaisons.
Establish visual surveillance on demonstrators prior to the rally/march.
Monitor the rally and facilitate a march if necessary.
Prevent/Respond to acts of violence and major acts of property damage/vandalism and arrest
those responsible for the acts.
Enforce applicable laws by identifying and arresting specific individuals engaged in unlawful
behavior when safe to do so.
If necessary, issue dispersal orders and disperse crowds in an orderly manner to predetermined
egress routes. Safely cite/arrest individuals who fail to disperse.
Process arrestees in accord with OPD policy/procedures.
Investigate uses of force, complaints and criminal acts in accord with OPD policy/procedures.
Maintain strong team discipline.
End State
This operation was successful and the following conditions were achieved:
First Amendment Rights of event participants safeguarded
No acts of violence or vandalism occur
No officers are injured
Only reasonable force is employed in executing the mission

Operations

Was there an Operations Chief for this event? Who were

the key personnel assigned operational tasks during this
event? Was there a field Command Post(C/P)? Where
did the event take place and did it move to another
location? Where was the location of the C/P? Was the
C/P mobile? Was the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) activated?

Operations Section Chief: Lieutenant Bobby Hookfin

Key Personnel assigned to the Operations Section:
Operations Chief
Air Operations
Dual Purpose
Alpha Company Commander
Alpha Platoon 11
Bravo Company Commander

Lt. Bobby Hookfin

Sgt. Phil Green
Sgt. Darrin Downum
Lt. Randell Wingate
Sgt. Sammy Kim
Lt. Randolph Brandwood

3
OPDPRR0615EBX01000023

Bravo Platoon 11
Bravo Platoon 12
Charlie Company Commander
Charlie Platoon 11
Charlie Platoon 12

Sgt. Aaron Smith

Sgt. Scott Hewitt
Lt. Jake Bassett
Sgt. Doug Keely
Sgt. Joseph Mcguinn

Key Locations:

Concept of Operations:
OPD deployed three MFF Companies (6 platoons) designed for small unit tactics. All Companies
deployed after receiving the Operations Briefing at 1000 (Alpha) and 1200 (Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie)
hours. Each Company was assigned a tango team. Other assets available to the operation included: video
team with live stream; PIO team; motor squads for traffic control; one dual purpose squad for crowd
intervention and management; TNT with ATVs and a SUV with associated sound equipment for
announcements; surveillance teams for observation; and Argus for aerial reporting.
During operations, MFF Platoons were to maintain a visible presence in and around the larger
demonstration and march locations. All personnel were to remain mobile and flexible ready to respond to
address crowds and crime concerns. In addition, personnel were directed to cite and arrest law violators
when appropriate.

All companies would need to be prepared for the following assignments:

Maintaining a visible presence to monitor protester activity;
Facilitating marches, by trailing and/or paralleling the protesters;
Identifying and citing/arresting individuals committing crimes, when tactically feasible to do
so; and
Maneuvering to assist in crowd containment and control, and mass arrests, if required.

1.

Mobile Enforcement Squad (Dual Purpose Motors)

a.

After briefing, deploy to protest areas, maintaining a visible presence, enforcing laws, and citing
for infractions. Pay attention to bicycle violations.

b.

Monitor protester activity and identify criminal elements.

c.

Recon march routes and target locations.

d.

On order, trail and/or parallel marches.

e.

On order, assist motors with traffic control.

4
OPDPRR0615EBX01000024

2.

TNT Field Units

a.

After briefing, deploy to identified protest locations, prepared to respond to crowd activity.

b.

Conduct liaison with event leaders throughout the operation.

c.

Communicate with crowd during rallies and marches, in order to provide support, guidance, and
direction.

d.

Be prepared to provide dispersal orders and egress routes.

3.

Significant Events

Describe the following significant events: When did the

event start? When did crimes and arrests take place?
When did the event conclude? How many subjects or
protesters were at the event? Precede each significant
event with the time it occurred.

Significant Events:
*Times are approximate

1500 hours: The Operations Section Chief conducted the MFF briefing at the Police Administration
Building (PAB) auditorium. The briefings included the following points:
Situation
Intelligence
Command Structure
Mission
Commanders Intent
Execution
Contingency Plans
Force and Arrest Posture
Media
Administration (arrests, UOF, Report Writing, Mass OT, Use of PDRD, Complaints, etc.)
Command and Staging
Communication
Equipment
After receiving the briefings, all companies deployed to their designated areas. I conducted checks at
Frank Ogawa Plaza and the surrounding downtown areas.
The first march/protests concluded at about 1800 hours in the City of Emeryville. Intelligence provided
suggested they were headed to Oakland to join the march at Frank Ogawa Plaza.
At about 1900 hours, about 10-15 people started to gather in the plaza for the next demonstration. This
number started to slowly increase over the next half hour or so. At about 1945 hours, they began their

5
OPDPRR0615EBX01000025

speeches and spoken word. Their numbers increased to about 150 people. I communicated with one of
the organizers about their intentions. I was told they did intent to march in the streets. I informed them of
our reaction to their marching in the streets. They were told they would be subject to a citation and/or
arrest if they marched in the street after sundown. They were also told by me that we would facilitate
their march after dark as long as it was on the sidewalk and not in the street.
At 2000 hours, the crowd starting to mobilize at 14thand Broadway to march. TNT began giving multiple
announcements for the crowd to march on the sidewalk. These announcements were consecutive and
continuous. The crowd continued to march in the street taking up all lanes of traffic moving south bound
Broadway and making no attempt to move onto the sidewalk.
At about 2008 hours, Captain Allison ordered a scrimmage line be placed at 7 th and Broadway. We were
giving confirmation by Lt. Reilly who was in the front of the crowd that the announcements were loud
and clear. At about 2011 hours, the group reached the front of the skirmish line. Announcements
continued until about 2017 hours. I then spoke to the organizer of the event, Cat Brooks. I again asked
for the group to exit the street and onto the sidewalk. After a brief discussion, Cat Brooks was successful
in getting the crowd to move to the sidewalk. The 7 th and Broadway skirmish line was then dissolved.
The group then marched to the PAB in the sidewalk. With the PAB doors locked, the group stopped on
the South/West corner for speeches and spoken word.
At about 2030 hours, the group concluded at the PAB and started to walked back north bound Broadway.
We had our motor units paralleling the crowd. The group walked on the sidewalk in an organized fashion.
It was communicated by our TNT team for the group to stay on the sidewalk as they approached Frank
Ogawa Plaza.
At about 2049 hours, the group was all back inside Frank Ogawa Plaza. They continued with speeches
spoken word. By 2120 hours, the gathering had ended and our units began to demobilize.

Planning

Was there a Planning Chief assigned to this event? Who

was the lead planner for the event? Who else took part in
the planning meetings? Who completed the operations
plan, briefing and personnel detail?

Planning Section Chief: None utilized.

Primary Planner: None utilized.
The Planning Section operated from the EOC, reporting to the Incident Commander. The Planning
Section was responsible for the personnel notification and detail publication. In addition, the Planning
Section was prepared to report on significant changes to the incident status, complete the Incident Action
Plan, and coordinate the Demobilization Plan if needed.

Logistics

Was there a Logistics Chief assigned to this event? Did

all personnel bring their own equipment? Was any
6
OPDPRR0615EBX01000026

specialized equipment or munitions needed or utilized

during the event? Did any other agency provide
specialized equipment?
Logistics Section Chief: None utilized.
.

Finance

Was there a Finance Chief assigned to this event? Were

personnel required to work overtime for this event? Was a
mass overtime sheet used for this event? What were the
pay codes for this event? Was there any
unusual/extraordinary expenditures for this event?

Finance Section Chief: Manager Taylor (not staffed on day of operation)

Any personnel on extended shifts or on their regular day off completed mass overtime sheets.
The pay codes were: Project 0000 / Fund 1010 / Program i237 / Organization - 107710

7
OPDPRR0615EBX01000027

Safety

Was there a Safety Officer assigned to this event? Were

there any significant safety issues? Were there any
accidents? Were there any equipment failures?

Safety Officer: Sergeant Alan Yu

During the operation, there were no reported safety issues or equipment failures in the field.

Liaison

Was there a Liaison Officer assigned to this event? Did

outside agencies respond for assistance? What other
agencies (city, state or federal) responded or assisted?
Was there a mutual aid request?

Liaison / Traffic Commander: Lieutenant Dave Elzey

Mutual Aid Coordinator: Sergeant Randy Bandino
During the operation, Mutual Aid was NOT requested.

Public Information
Officer

Was there a Public Information Officer assigned to this

event? Was the media present? Did anyone provide
information to the media? Was the media coverage
favorable to the agency and/or City?

Public Information Officer: Sergeant Holly Joshi and Officer Johnna Watson
There were two PIOs assigned to the operation. The PIO team maintained correspondence with media
personnel when necessary. There were media trucks at the event. No media issues were noted.

Staging Area

Was a staging area established? Was a staging manager

assigned? Who was the staging manager? Where was the
staging area located? Did outside agencies respond to the
staging area?

Staging Manager: Not utilized

Task: To establish and operate a dedicated site location in order to receive and dispatch various assets as
means to accomplish the mission outlined by the Incident Commander.

Since mutual aid was not requested, the Staging Area was not activated.

8
OPDPRR0615EBX01000028

Use of Force

Were there any significant uses of force? Were impact

weapons used? Were chemical agents used? Were
chemical agents checked out and deployed in the field?
Was a police firearm used? Were there significant injuries
to subjects?

Use of Force
No uses of force reported.
Tango Team
Three (3) Tango Teams deployed during the operation. The Tango Team leader was assigned a Tango
Team Kit. The kit contained 40mm impact munitions and Drag Stabilized Flexible Baton Rounds (DSFB
- Bean Bag). In addition, the kit contained hand thrown and weapon launched chemical agents. The team
was issued a 40mm launcher (primary), 37mm, and Remington 870 shotgun marked orange to designate it
as a less lethal weapon system.

Arrests/Citations/FCs

Were there any significant arrests? Did mass arrests take

place? What were the predominant charges for arrests?

None issued.

Statistical Data
Nomenclature
Number of OPD Personnel Assigned to
Event
Number of Outside Agency Personnel
Assigned to Event
Number of Subjects, Participants or
Protesters at Events
Complaints
Use of Force Level 1
Use of Force Level 2
Use of Force Level 3
Use of Force Level 4
Total Uses of Force
Overtime Expenditures
Arrests Adult (includes NTA)
Arrests Juvenile (includes NTA)
Citations (moving, ped & registration)
Firearms Recovered
Vehicles Towed
Vehicle Pursuits
Police Vehicles/Property Damaged
Reported Civilian Property Damage
Officers Injured

Number
80
0 Mutual Aid
~125
0 reported
0
0
0
0
0
Refer to Fiscal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

9
OPDPRR0615EBX01000029

0
0

Subject Injuries
Uninvolved Party Injuries

Successes

What was done well? Was the event successfully

planned? Did everyone know their mission? Were all
end-states achieved? Did the tactics and deployment
methods work?

Successes:
Good communication with the organizers.
MFF personnel moved quickly into their designated spots.
MFF personnel remained flexible to address all the events.
With short notice and a compressed timetable, planning developed a staffing detail for the entire
weekend, which was distributed to personnel in advance of the operation.
TNT utilized their sound equipment effectively.

Training Needs

What training needs to be conducted to better prepare for

the next event.

None

Deliverable Items

Has anyone been assigned a specific task to complete as a

result of the debriefing or after action reporting?

None

Bobby Hookfin, 8191

Lieutenant of Police
Area 1 Special Operations Commander
(Operations Section Chief)

10
OPDPRR0615EBX01000030