San Leandro Board Chair Issues Statement on Recent Scandal

We finally have some much needed moral clarity from someone in a position of city leadership, albeit on a volunteer basis. This past Wednesday at its regular monthly meeting, Bob Bailey, Chair of the Community Police Review Board, issued the following statement on a recent police scandal involving Shaquille Coleman, an unhoused individual who was assaulted and kidnapped by SLPD before being dumped miles away in Oakland. His comments also debunked a simultaneous "scandal" alleged about SLPD Chief Averiett. 

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"Public statement from Bob Bailey @ April 15, 2026 CPRB Meeting

As has been noted, the CPRB was unable to place on our agenda for discussion concerns about the ABC TV News stories about SLPD that were aired the week of 3/30 because it is a confidential personnel matter.

I am choosing to speak on the matter as an individual member of the CPRB representing the community. My remarks do not speak for the CPRB as a whole. But I believe they are consistent with the CPRB's mission to promote transparency, accountability and community trust.

Like others I have heard from in the community, I am appalled by the treatment of the homeless person, Shaquille Coleman in December 2024. We in the community are right to be embarrassed for our City and to reject the conduct as contrary to our values. My understanding, though, is that once this incident was brought to the attention of the Chief, it was thoroughly investigated – including a review by the Independent Police Auditor – and corrective action was taken against the officers involved. Apparently that wasn't good enough for some.

So, my questions and concerns focus on the leaks to the press.

1. Why now? (The story broke 3/30, 15 months after the Coleman incident.)

2. What's the motive?

3. Who benefits? (And let me say, in my view it is certainly NOT the community.)

(I'll refrain from commenting further on what I see as sensationalist journalism, other than to note these questions were apparently not of interest to the reporter.)

To me, this appears to be very similar to the playbook used by certain members of the POA (Police Officers Association) in its campaign to undermine and remove Chief Abdul Pridgen – our first Black Chief. As we know that lead to lawsuits by both Chief Pridgen and former City Manager Fran Robustelli – caused turmoil on our City Council.

My concerns and fears are that these recent leaks are intended and calculated to achieve the same result with our first Black female Chief, Chief Averiett.

I am especially concerned about the common link between the two otherwise unrelated incidents reported by ABC News – Lt. Turner - a Black female officer – who Chief Pridgen tried to hire, the POA opposed, and Chief Averiett later hired.

Some may regard these leaks as a legitimate whistle-blower complaint that deserves protection, but my layman understanding of whistle-blower protections is that they only apply if (a) the leaker is acting in good faith to report illegal conduct; (b) the information leaked is not a violation of security or confidentiality; and (c) the leaker first used other available avenues for redress.

If Lt. Turner and Chief Averiett were the targets of these specific leaks – and the leaks happened after the Police Department properly investigated the allegations – why proceed to leak the information? That does not sound like good faith to me, nor does it seem to be an exhaustion of other procedural options available before going public.

The leak of the body-worn-camera (BWC) video of the Coleman incident on its face jeopardizes the confidentiality protections due to the officers involved in the incident. To me, those officers are collateral damage on what appears to be an effort to target Lt. Turner's handling of the situation at the scene.

And regarding the Chief’s alleged hit-and-run auto accident: I've seen the CHP accident report, with its multiple photos of the side-view mirrors of the two vehicles. The damage to both was so minor that the CHP report states that they found credible the Chiefs account that she did not hear any contact at the time (which perhaps makes the dramatic account by the driver of the other vehicle in front of the TV cameras somewhat suspect).

To close:

·       I do not wish to trivialize concerns about what was reported by ABC News.

·       BUT I have serious concerns about the motives and propriety of the leaks. On their face, they seem to be irresponsible and self-serving, while doing immeasurable harm to the reputation of the San Leandro police department and the City.

·       I’ll leave it to others to reach their own conclusions about whether race and gender are factors.

·       Lastly, let me say, I feel it is important to put this awful City news in perspective. I hope that raising questions about these leaks now can help bring a stop to such practices that can be so detrimental to our community and which compromise the work of the CPRB to build trust between the community and the police.

Thank you."

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Personally, this kind of informed thought grounded in shared values of good governance is absolutely refreshing. Especially after years listening to Mayor Gonzalez's characteristic whine that says absolutely nothing.

For now though, it looks likely that the city will face another expensive lawsuit because of the misconduct of our officers. Meanwhile, the civil war in the department between the stumbling reformers and the corrupt SLPOA will continue.

Lastly, I received a copy of these remarks because I attended the meeting and asked for them afterwards.

Take note and take care.