Faced with a growing backlog of civilian complaints and the absence of a police oversight investigator since September, the Richmond City Council is set to vote May 27 on a contract with Bill Whalen & Associates to restore investigative capacity to the Community Police Review Commission, part of a packed agenda that also includes emergency medical response reforms, anti-displacement legislation, seismic safety initiatives, and nearly $2 million in public service contracts and grants.

Richmond taps ex-police chief to clear backlog of civilian complaints against officers

The commission has been without a  Confidential Investigative Officer since Jerry Threet’s departure in September 2024. At the time, the CPRC had nine complaints that remained to be investigated. 

Since then, an additional 17 complaints have been filed. The CPRC needs an interim investigator while the city continues recruiting and hiring a permanent investigator.

According to the staff report, Bill Whalen is a retired Chief of Police, bringing a wealth of investigative expertise. His career also encompassed diverse roles, including Public Information Officer, Emergency Manager, SWAT Commander, Internal Affairs Investigator/Supervisor, Detective Supervisor, Use of Force Instructor, Detective, and Field Training Officer.

“He brings learned experience and investigation expertise and is credentialed by the Workplace Investigative Association. Mr. Whalen’s scope of work will involve review of the backlog of complaints, prioritization of the cases, and commencement of the investigations with the goal of reducing the backlog in preparation for the permanent placement,” the report states. 

With the assistance of CPRC’s attorney, Floy Andrews, city staff conducted a Request for Scope of Work and received responses from Municipal Resource Group, Bill Whalen & Associates, and Jonathan Dugas. 

The Community Police Review Commission Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the submitted scopes of work and resumes, ranked the firms, and referred the top candidate to the City Council for their consideration. Bill Whalen and Associates was identified as a qualified firm that is available to provide investigative services temporarily until a permanent investigator is hired.

Seven study and action items

The council is also set to receive an update from Richmond Promise, introducing a fire hazard severity zones ordinance recommended by Cal Fire, and reviewing a feasibility study for Advanced Life Support first responder services that could reshape emergency medical response citywide. 

The council will also consider community programs, including a Transbay Coalition proposal for volunteer-managed bus stop benches and a seismic retrofit initiative targeting older residential and small business structures to improve earthquake preparedness. Additionally, council members will examine potential legislation to combat predatory land acquisition practices by corporations and investors, while receiving final recommendations from the Coalition/Taskforce to End Gender-Based Violence, which seeks funding for a multilingual public awareness campaign extending through January 2026.

The council will also consider a series of contracts and services next week, including a $265,000 increase to the legal services agreement with Best Best & Krieger for code enforcement, bringing the total to $275,000 through December 2026. The council will also introduce an ordinance requiring biannual reports from the Richmond Arts and Culture Division.

The council is expected to accept a $150,000 Metropolitan Transportation Commission grant for the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase 2 design work through Trust for Public Land and adopt the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. Economic development items included approving property tax roll assessments for the Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District, a $30,000 contract amendment with CSW|Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group for Port of Richmond services, and a 2.5 percent general rate increase to the Port’s Federal Maritime Commission tariff.

Additional approvals include $600,000 in electrical maintenance contracts for the Port of Richmond, a $25,200 contract amendment with Haley and Aldrich for dredging permits, and response time standards for the Fire Department. The council also approved a $50,000 contract with Davillier-Sloan for labor-management services, the Richmond Workforce Development Board’s 2025-2028 local plan, and proclamations recognizing LGBTQI+ Pride Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Police Department items included accepting $16,556 in federal grant funds for the End Abuse in Later Life Program, a $75,000 three-year contract with San Joaquin Delta College for police academy training, and a $180,000 contract with Breakpoint Investigations for background checks. The council concluded by awarding $450,000 power washing contracts each to EcoSanitation and Professional Power Washing Maintenance for three-year terms. 

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