OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM ALAMEDA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU

September 13, 2024

The accusation that District Attorney Pamela Price is threatening employees who engage in political advocacy is completely false. Over the past year, in compliance with the recommendations of the 2022-2023 Grand Jury report, the District Attorney’s Office has issued memorandums to staff regarding acceptable activities during political campaigns. A subsequent change in the law governing the use of county resources for political campaigns nullified one section of prior notices to employees regarding the misuse of county resources. Therefore, Government Code Section 3205, which prohibits local government employees from soliciting campaign contributions from their co-workers, is no longer enforced against employees at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. This information has been communicated to the entire staff at the ACDAO.

The accusation that District Attorney Pamela Price has hired private security guards is one hundred percent false! The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office does not employ private security firms. The only “armed” staff members at the DA’s office are Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified, retired law enforcement officers who work for the County of Alameda. These employees are assigned to the District Attorney’s Inspectors Division.

The DA’s Inspectors Division has existed for almost 100 years—it was established by former Alameda County District Attorney Earl Warren in 1927. Inspectors are an integral part of the DA’s office and provide support for DAO investigations and prosecutions, witness and court accompaniments, and the pursuit of justice for victims of crime in Alameda County. They have all passed the standard background checks required for all law enforcement officers.

Lastly, calling DA Pamela Price a “mob boss” is not only unprecedented and disrespectful but is also a racially charged dog whistle designed to undermine trust in the county’s first Black district attorney in the minds of the public.

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The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is one of California’s largest prosecutors’ offices and is led by Alameda County’s first Black woman District Attorney, Pamela Price. Price brings her vision to this office to fairly administer justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities for every person who steps foot in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code. Price has been recognized as one of the most progressive prosecutors through her forward-thinking, innovative strategies to interrupt cycles of violence and crime and bring change to a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. Follow Madam DA on Twitter and Facebook @AlamedaCountyda.