We have a new Chief of Police! 👮‍♀️

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the Berkeley City Council voted to appoint Jen Louis as Chief of Police. The vote capped a tumultuous 5-hour session in which members of the community spoke for and against Louis’ appointment. Mayor Jesse Arreguin repeatedly asked protesters to respect the right of everyone present to express their opinions.

About 21 members of the public spoke against Louis’ appointment, while 13 spoke in favor—including multiple Cal parents. In urging his colleagues to vote in favor of Louis, Council member Mark Humbert cited the large number of emails the Council received urging them to fill the position of Chief:

“The letters— and I didn’t count them, because they kept coming in —but my rough estimate is we received more than 200 letters in favor of the appointment of Chief Louis, and about 30 emails and letters contra.”

His comments are worth hearing in full:

Cal parents are changing the conversation

Several news outlets noted the role Cal parents played in overcoming resistance to Louis and swaying the Council to install her as police chief.

”Local business leaders largely supported her appointment, as did several parents who shared fears for the safety of their children studying at UC Berkeley,” observed Katie Lauer in The East Bay Times.

Emilie Raguso wrote in The Berkeley Scanner that Louis’ appointment received “substantial backing from the city's business community as well as Cal parents who have become more vocal in city politics since the fall.” During her live tweeting, Emilie also noted:

Alex Gecan at Berkeleyside quoted me as sharing my concerns during public comment that failing to appoint Louis would make it difficult for the police department to fill its 30+ officer vacancies, leading to more crime across the community.

And one of the leaders in Berkeley’s business community told us this week that he doubts the measure would have passed without the strong support of Cal parents ✨

This was a tough vote. Members of the Berkeley community clearly have mixed feelings about this appointment. While SafeBears hears and understands such concerns, the urgency of appointing a Chief of Police could not be ignored. Crime— especially violent crime —continues to soar in Berkeley, As Council member Humbert noted, appointing Louis as Chief will make an immediate positive difference in the department’s ability to retain good officers and attract new ones, something the city desperately needs.

Thanks to all our supporters for sending your emails and speaking up at public comment!