Oakland Officers walk out of Citizens review Hearing

Four Oakland police officers accused of improperly arresting and beating a West Oakland man walked out of a Citizens Police Review Board hearing.But the eight-member board continued the Thursday evening hearing without their participation and sustained four of the 25 allegations lodged against Officers Steve Chavez, Jeffrey Tom, Michael Shinn and Michael Osanna. According to the board, Chavez arrested Ronald Muhammed without having a reasonable suspicion that a crime had been committed. On the afternoon of July 28, 2003, Muhammed was walking on Wood Street near 10th Street shaking his cell phone and trying to get a signal. Chavez, while still in his patrol car, asked Muhammed whether he was on probation or parole and requested his identification. When Muhammed did not comply, Chavez got out of the patrol vehicle and attempted to arrest Muhammed. A struggle ensued, and other officers were called to the scene to help restrain Muhammed, who was arrested and jailed. [more]