Public safety and homelessness services took center stage at the February 17 City Council meeting, as Councilmembers reviewed detailed data from the Alameda Police Department and considered multi-year contracts to support the City’s homeless response system. Council examined rising police enforcement activity alongside stable misconduct findings and weighed expanded shelter and mental health services against questions of oversight and fiscal safeguards.
In other business, Council ratified revised salary schedules for the City Council appointed Positions of City Manager and City Attorney to ensure compliance with California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) requirements.
Police Auditor report
Police Auditor Dr. Leigh Grossman provided a high-level overview of Alameda Police Department (APD) activity in 2025, highlighting increases in internal affairs investigations, arrests, traffic stops, and use-of-force incidents, while noting no corresponding increase in substantiated misconduct.
Internal Affairs cases rose approximately 70% compared to 2024, which Dr. Grossman attributed largely to supervisors taking a more proactive approach to documenting allegations and complying with state reporting requirements. Of 59 cases, 48 were closed, and nine included at least one sustained allegation involving issues such as firearm safety, unsatisfactory work product, conduct toward others, and body-worn camera activation; disciplinary actions ranged from counseling and training to suspension…