City of Alameda Publishes Police Auditor’s Annual Report
Published on February 08, 2024
The 2023 Police Auditor’s Annual Report published by Dr. Leigh Grossman documents 59,644 calls for service, 5,613 stops, 895 arrests, one pursuit, and 10 minor collisions involving Alameda Police Department (APD) officers. This includes an 18 percent increase in felony arrests, 8 percent increase in stops, and 7 percent increase in calls for service. Based on follow up surveys, most respondents remain satisfied or very satisfied with dispatchers, officers, and the department.
Of the 20 complaints filed against APD in 2023, 70 percent were internally generated, and 11 investigations have been completed. Seven cases had at least one sustained allegation, which means the investigation disclosed sufficient evidence to clearly prove the allegations made in the complaint.
While a key finding in the annual report is an increase in low level uses of force and weapon displays, this increase correlates with a policy change requiring that all use of force be categorized and investigated as either a low or intermediate level use of force. At the same time reports of low level use of force increased, there was a decrease in intermediate level use of force incidents.
Staffing went from a low of 64 sworn members in the summer months to a high of 70 members in December 2023. APD’s hiring incentive policy has been effective, and while the hiring and academy process takes approximately six months to complete, APD anticipates being fully staffed with 88 sworn members this year.
The City of Alameda Police Auditor works independently and collaboratively to promote community confidence in policing and accountability. Working within the City Attorney’s Office, the Auditor reviews APD internal affairs cases and use of force incidents to ensure quality investigations. Download the full Police Auditor’s Annual Report here. The Police Auditor’s monthly reports and inspections can be found here.