Oakland police ‘dump’ homeless man at mall after ripping out his braids
Oakland police officers have come under fire after newly unearthed video footage showed them “dumping” a homeless man at a strip mall in December 2024. The incident, captured on body camera footage, has sparked outrage and prompted an internal affairs complaint from San Leandro Police Officer Sgt. Mike Olivera.
The video shows officers confronting 33-year-old Shaquille Coleman, a homeless man who refused to leave a shopping area. Coleman, wearing a chain that says “King” and sporting braided hair, refused to identify himself when asked by officers. The situation escalated as officers attempted to restrain him, with one officer even grabbing Coleman’s braids to pull him into their car.
After struggling to figure out what to do with Coleman, the officers decided to “dump” him at a gas station seven miles away from the original location. The decision was made without accusing him of a crime, leading to concerns about the officers’ conduct, especially that of their supervisor, Lieutenant Antwinette Turner.
San Leandro Chief Angela Averiett has launched a third-party investigation into the incident, which found that “certain personnel violated department policies” and received corrective action. Turner has since left San Leandro to join the BART Police Department.
The incident has raised questions about the handling of homeless individuals by law enforcement and the need for proper protocols in such situations. Olivera’s legal team has suggested that he faced retaliation after reporting the incident, highlighting the challenges faced by officers who speak out against misconduct.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement, as well as the need for proper training and resources to address complex issues like homelessness. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what further actions will be taken to address the behavior of the officers involved and prevent similar incidents in the future.
