Sean Whent - Oakland

picture adapted from Jean Quan's newsletter by greenkoziOn May 14, 2014 Sean Whent, who was serving as the Oakland Police Department acting chief, was named the new permanent Police Chief by Mayor Jean Quan. Whent, an 18-year veteran of the department, beat out 27 other candidates from throughout the U.S. who were competing for the job. whent release.pdf

Sean Whent abruptly resigned on June 9, 2016, amid a sexual misconduct scandal involving 14 OPD officers.

On June 3, 2014, City Council unanimously approved a four-year contract for Chief Whent. His total annual compensation will be $262,879.¹

On May 8th, 2013, Chief Howard Jordan resigned and Assistant Chief Anthony Toribio was named Acting Chief. On May 10th, 2013, Toribio stepped down and Deputy Chief Sean Whent was promoted to Interim Chief.

From City Administrator Deanna Santana's weekly newsletter dated 5/10/13: "On Friday, May 10, the City of Oakland announced a new executive leadership team of the Oakland Police Department headed by Sean Whent, who has been appointed Interim Chief of Police, effective immediately. Interim Chief Whent, a 17-year veteran of OPD, moved quickly to stabilize the leadership of the Oakland Police Department by announcing the following appointments:

Paul Figueroa: Acting Assistant Chief responsible for day-to-day operations of the Police Department.
Eric Breshears: Deputy Chief, Commander of Bureau of Strategic Initiatives including the Ceasefire program and Compstat.
Danielle Outlaw: Acting Deputy Chief, Commander of the Bureau of Risk Management, which includes the Training Section, Internal Affairs Division, Office of Inspector General, and Criminalistics Division
David Downing: Acting Deputy Chief, Commander of Bureau of Field Operations
Anthony Toribio: AC Toribio has made a personal decision to step down to the position of Captain of Police. He fully supports the new leadership and will continue to contribute to the Department’s ongoing effort to reduce crime and meet full compliance with the Negotiated Settlement Agreement."

Since Monday, May 13, Interim Chief Sean C. Whent has been carrying out a public relations campaign by visiting various Oakland neighborhoods. Whent walks around has conversations with residents, business owners and community members. On Monday, Chief Whent visited the Temescal District. On Tuesday, he was in Chinatown. On Wednesday, he walked sections of Fruitvale Avenue and International Boulevard.

On December 24, 2013, Whent was involved in chasing down carjacking suspects near 35th Avenue and East 16th. This made the headlines as (interim) Chiefs don't often participate in street chases. (see sfgate.com)

Chief Whent was the recipient of the East Bay Express Most Impressive Record for a New Chief Award in 2014.

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