About LeRonne
Strong
on Service
Armstrong collaborated with mentoring programs such as the OK Program of Oakland, which empowers Black men and boys to transform their communities. He created Community Liaison Officer positions assigned to Chinatown, Little Saigon, Fruitvale, and East and West Oakland. Armstrong created the Community Pastors Response Program with the Pastors of Oakland, bringing clergy to assist residents suffering from traumatic events.
Armstrong conducted community engagement block parties, allowing the community to meet the officers who patrol their neighborhoods. He worked with community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide hundreds of backpacks to children going back to school and meals during the holiday season. He also created the Toys for the Town event, where members of the OPD donated over 2,500 gifts to families in Oakland.
Oakland has shaped me into who I am today, and I’m committed to giving back to the community that raised me. Together, we will reduce crime, address homelessness, and create opportunities for all Oaklanders.
Strong
on Safety
Armstrong’s highest priority is public safety, and his record of service to Oakland proves these are more than hopeful and empty words. His path to Police Chief began after the tragic loss of his teenage brother, who was shot and killed at Oakland Tech High School. He transformed his grief into a mission to make Oakland safer for everyone.
He has real-life and professional experience to understand proven and actionable crime reduction and prevention policies. Chief Armstrong will change the misguided policies and budget decisions that caused the current public safety crisis in Oakland.
Strong
on Solutions
Throughout his 24-year tenure with the City of Oakland, Armstrong focused on effective policies that benefited all residents.
He recognized how fiscal irresponsibility decisions could directly harm the impact on delivering essential services. Armstrong developed a comprehensive strategic plan laying out the goals of the largest city department. During the COVID pandemic, he advocated for balanced budget solutions that protected essential services while maintaining the city’s financial health for the future. Armstrong is committed to bringing transparency and fiscal responsibility to City Hall.
Chief Armstrong's
Impact
Over 792 sworn officers and 400 professional staff managed in Oakland’s largest department.
Department was under its $375 million dollar budget for the first time in over 40 years.
Oakland Ceasefire Strategy implemented, reducing violent crime by over 50% since 2012.
Strong
on Leadership
Chief Armstrong’s rise from Patrol Officer to Police Chief has been the subject of multiple news articles regarding “Black Officers Policing in America” and featured in the award-winning documentary “The Force.” Armstrong was the former President of the Oakland Black Officers Association and he is a Lifetime member of the NAACP. Chief Armstrong was selected by Former California Attorney General Kamala Harris (current United States Vice-President) to be the lead instructor of her Principled Policing Training (aka Procedural Justice Training). Harris awarded Chief Armstrong a Department of Justice award for his outstanding work.
He worked as a Problem-Solving Officer and supervised the Gang Intelligence Task Force. He has served as a Watch Commander, Commander of the Youth and School Safety Section, Special Resource Commander, Area Commander, and Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Division.
Strong
on Results
Armstrong’s dedication to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement has been instrumental in improving Oakland. He played a pivotal role in helping the Oakland PAL work with the community to start a midnight basketball program, bringing Oaklanders together while providing a free and safe haven for many.
In 2021, Armstrong created the Violent Crime Operations Center (VCOC), which provided a timely response to homicides and all gun-related crimes, supporting the Department’s Ceasefire strategy. He also guided the Department into the Sustainability phase of the Federal Oversight Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA) for the first time in its history.
Armstrong's
Bio
LeRonne Armstrong is a West Oakland native, raised in public housing by a mother who worked two jobs and taught him the value of hard work. Armstrong is the father of four and a volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach at Bishop O’Dowd High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, and a Harvard University Executive Leadership Certificate. He is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy and FBI Executive Leadership Academy and Harvard Executive Leadership Program. He provided practical and common-sense leadership in the City of Oakland for 24 years in the Oakland Police Department where he served as Chief of Police.
