One of Oakland’s major unions is negotiating a new contract with the city, and its organizers have an unusual demand: civilianize OPD — meaning have civilians do some of the jobs that cops currently do.

June 30 marked the expiration date for a three-year agreement between the city of Oakland and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 (IFPTE). IFPTE, which represents hundreds of city workers, has spent months at the bargaining table trying to get the city to sign a new agreement that will guarantee its members better wages and benefits.

But IFPTE is also proposing that the city civilianize five desk-bound positions that are currently staffed by police officers. Those jobs include four intake technicians — people who process misconduct complaints —

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