Public urges clearer reporting after officer-involved shooting; mayor says county investigation and video release are planned

Several speakers at the San Leandro City Council meeting on Feb. 18 urged the city to provide clearer, more transparent information after an officer-involved shooting that occurred in unincorporated San Leandro.

"One area devoid of openness and transparency is when it comes to shootings by San Leandro Police Officers," speaker Mike Katzlakabe said during public comment, criticizing the use of passive voice in official summaries and urging the city to describe events more directly. "The words are carefully chosen to provide the opposite of clarity and transparency."

Katzlakabe cited a recent description that, he said, used passive language and did not name the victim or specify where bullets went. "What this appears to mean is that at least 3 San Leandro ... officers shot at someone," he said, adding that such phrasing creates confusion about responsibility and outcomes.

Mayor Gonzales responded later in the meeting, saying the incident occurred in Alameda County and that "we have an ongoing investigation being led by Alameda County Sheriffs. Per our policy, we will be releasing video. So that's what we're following—the standard process that we have. We'll stick to that process. We've made commitments to the public, and we will follow those commitments." The mayor also noted the city is following its existing procedures for officer-involved incidents.

No additional details about the incident (injuries, location specifics, or timeline) were released at the council meeting; the mayor said the county is leading the investigation because the incident occurred in unincorporated Alameda County.

Speakers urged the council and police department to use language that makes responsibilities and outcomes clear in future communications.