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Commission approves CPRA legal contracts and several commission contract actions
Summary
The Oakland Police Commission unanimously approved two CPRA professional-service agreements (each up to $125,000), extended its legal-services contract with GHS through June 2027 (no additional cost), authorized an RFQ for future legal services, and approved payment to StoneTurn for previously completed work.
The commission voted April 23 on a package of contracts and procurement steps intended to bolster independent oversight work and ensure continuity of legal support.
CPRA contracts: The commission unanimously approved two resolutions authorizing CPRA Executive Director Tony Lawson to enter into professional service agreements for outside legal support, each not to exceed $125,000. Lawson described the roles: one outside counsel will help lead complex investigations and train investigators; the other will draft policies and standard operating procedures for a CPRA that the director said currently lacks written SOPs. Commissioners asked about contract duration and whether both contracts would run concurrently; Lawson replied both are expected to be one-year contracts and to start concurrently.
GHS extension and RFQ: To preserve continuity, commissioners unanimously approved extending the commission's current legal-services contract with Garcia Hernandez & Fox (GHS) through 06/30/2027 at no additional cost and a not-to-exceed total of $400,000 for the contract. The commission also authorized the chief of staff to initiate an RFQ process to solicit new legal services for future work.
StoneTurn payment: The commission approved an extension to pay StoneTurn LLP for work it completed on a prior hiring and promotion review. The commission noted the final StoneTurn report was received in April 2026 and said it will make the deliverable available so the public can see what the firm produced before the payments are finalized.
Votes at a glance: All resolutions noted above passed by unanimous roll-call votes; the record shows Vice Chair Booker, Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Jackson Castaigne and the chair voting yes on the major measures.
Why it matters: CPRA requested outside counsel to shore up legal capacity while it recruits permanent investigators and builds written policies; the commission acted to avoid gaps in legal support as oversight demands increase while OPD and oversight offices work toward NSA compliance.
What's next: CPRA will onboard the two contracted attorneys in early May; the commission will run an RFQ for long-term legal services and circulate StoneTurn's final report for public review.
