Why is Deanna Lorson handcuffing the search for a new Police Chief?

Oceanside California City Manager Deanna Lorson has limited the search for a new Police Chief to internal applicants only and plans to make a new hire by October. That means only a few applicants will be considered for this extraordinarily powerful job. She will not commit to share the names of those advising her, and she won't commit to an open forum of public input for the hiring process.

This raises alarming questions!

How can Oceanside residents be confident that the best candidates were considered if the search is limited to just a few applicants? If Ms. Lorson’s advisors are anonymous, how can we be sure they’re not connected to people who might be politicizing her decision? Why the aggressive timeline? Has someone already been secretly chosen for the job?

What's best for all Oceanside residents?

Hiring a new Police Chief in these turbulent times should be an open and transparent process. It should take the time necessary to pull from as diverse a group of applicants as possible, and it should include lots of public input. Therefore, we believe Deanna Lorson should:

1. Open this position to external applicants, so Oceanside has the best chance to hire the best person for the job.
2. Create online public workshop for residents to share their concerns, values, and priorities for the hiring of our next Chief.
3. Make the identity of all persons advising Ms. Lorson transparent before the selection of a new Chief so residents know who is influencing this critical decision.

If you sign this petition please also contact our City Council members and tell them you agree with these demands:

• Email the whole City Council: Council@oceansideca.org

Who are we?

We are members of the faith community in Oceanside who are committed to racial justice and improving trust between OPD and all Oceanside residents. 

• St. John Church
• The Oceanside Sanctuary
• St. Thomas More Catholic Church