Oakland School District Police Chief Art Michel, who was involved in a nasty confrontation with an Oakland Tribune photojournalist in November, will resign this week. A school district spokesperson wouldn’t give a reason, and an article on InsideBayArea.com said it’s likely due to a compensation and benefits issue and not the incident, but please. This man’s behavior is totally unacceptable and an embarrassment. Enjoy the private sector, Art.
We’ve seen some bad videos on this site, but this one is a doozy. On the footage, Oakland School District Police Chief Art Michel berates and curses out Oakland Tribune photojournalist Jane Tyska at a protest against immigration raids on October 31. He accuses of her of hitting his patrol car with her elbow and trying to incite a riot.
Here are some of the highlights:
“You hit my car, you’re going to jail!”
“You stick to that story, so help me god, I’ll take all your equipment and take you right to jail!”
“Get in the car or I’m going to stuff you in there!”
“You’re a lying son of a bitch, you hit my car!”
This man is downright frightening, even more so since his job is as a SCHOOL police chief and he works with children. Wouldn’t you hope someone in his position would model calm, reason and maturity during a confrontation?
And invariably, in all of these stories, there is always the commenter who says something to the effect of “Right on police!” And to that I say, really? Really? Because clearly this video shows an extreme overreaction and a scary abuse of power, regardless of whether or not a female journalist – who is obviously cooperating and repentant – hit his car with her elbow.
The Oakland Tribune published an editorial today demanding the chief’s firing. If you agree, send Interim Superintendent Roberta Mayor a note.
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