Episode 036: Oakley Police Chief Eric Christensen

On this episode, I chat with Oakley Police Chief Eric Christensen on a variety of topics including why he came back to the City of Oakley and what he looks for when hiring new officers. We get into community policing and importance of communication, working on homeless and mental illness within a community.

The chief shares what the overall crime picture is in Oakley while explaining just how much went into catching the suspect in the Freedom High School social media threats case, the importance of a strong code enforcement team and we also close with some career advice.

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Episode Overview:

• 00:40 – Intro and background on Chief Christensen
• 02:30 – Christensen explains why he decided to return to City of Oakley in 2018. Highlights the benefits of Oakley becoming its own police department.
• 04:32 – Oakley Police Officers truly want to be in Oakley, a great group of guys. Christensen explains the aspects of starting a new police department and create a department. They get to create something new with parts and pieces coming together. You are picking the people who you want on your team.
• 06:11 – Christensen explains how he picks candidates to become an Oakley Police Officer
• 07: 45 – Why are Oakley Police officers so friendly?
• 08:40 – Christensen explains how communication and interactions are impacting crime and working with homeless.
• 11:19 – Christensen explains how officers knowing their role and responsibilities allows them to provide customer service.
• 12:00 – How Oakley is dealing with the homeless & mental health issues. Lack of services in East Contra Costa County.
• 17:45 – How is overall crime looking in Oakley. Chief admits crime is up from 2017-to-2018. Chief is looking at how California Law is impacting the statistics.
• 19:56 – How is Oakley addressing the traffic complaints and speeders?
• 26:01 – School Zone parking complaints
• 27:58 – Arrest of Tristen Curl, Freedom High terrorizing. Chief explains the investigation and what it took to get the arrest and the challenges.
• 35:10 – Police & technology, embracing social media communication. Christensen explains how its benefited the police department.
• 47:30 – Discussion on how police departments are becoming their own media through social media.
• 49:05 – Impact of Code Enforcement and their partnership with Oakley Police
• 54:52 – How anti-police rhetoric and anti-police laws are impacting and challenging police to protect communities. The use of force bill as one example. Why would anyone want to be a police officer?
• 01:03:23 – Christensen explains what his favorite part about being a police chief is.
• 1:05:19 – Christensen provides advice to someone trying to become a police officer and enter a career in law enforcement.
• 1:07: 25 – closing