News from: Oakland Police Department FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9 , 2012 Alameda County District Attorney's Office Independent Report Media Contact: Sergeant Chris Bolton Officer Johnna Watson Media Relations Office 510-238-7230 opdmedia@oaklandnet.com Oakland, CA -- The District Attorney's Office has released its independent report concerning the May 6th, 2012, officer-involved shooting of Mr. Alan Blueford. While the report concludes that neither the facts nor the law warrant the filing of charges against the officer, and it succinctly recounts the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Department's Internal Affairs Investigation remains open, and we are unable to further comment on the findings. Chief of Police Jordan's review of all related actions and ancillary issues of conduct, training, policy or practice will occur upon the conclusion of our internal investigation. The report may be requested from the District Attorney's Office. The role of the District Attorney's Office is to provide a thorough and objective review of officer-involved fatal shootings and to prosecute criminal violations of the law where warranted. Their review provides the Oakland Police Department, and the community it serves, an important mechanism of independent oversight and accountability in light of an officer's use of lethal force. Officer-involved shootings, in all cases, receive deservedly high levels and degrees of investigation and scrutiny. In addition to the District Attorney's Office report and review in the case of fatalities or special circumstances, it is the responsibility of the Chief of Police to ensure a thorough criminal investigation of all officerinvolved shootings, regardless of injury. To address all related actions and ancillary issues of conduct, training, policy or practice, an Internal Affairs Division investigation and process of executive review occurs in every case as a matter of policy and necessity to ensure our practices meet or exceed contemporary law enforcement standards. Additionally, the Citizens' Police Review Board maintains an open independent investigation. "I expect my officers to encounter dangerous situations during the course of their work," said Police Chief Howard Jordan. "Removing firearms from the street is a core component in addressing the violence this City faces, and my expectation includes that they survive those encounters. Because of the inherent danger of their jobs, it is more important - and not less - to provide the training, resources, and practices that allows and requires officers to provide beneficial, lawful, and Constitutional policing to the City of Oakland and its community." # # #