Alameda County Police Unions Unanimously Endorse Recall of California District Attorney Pamela Price

This latest call for her removal adds to the growing list of East Bay institutions advocating for Price's ouster.Photo byAlameda Co. District Attorney's Office

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is facing mounting opposition as all 14 police unions in the county have publicly endorsed her recall, just weeks before the November ballot.

In a joint statement made at a Saturday press conference, the unions criticized Price for her leniency on repeat offenders, accusing her of allowing known criminals to re-offend without consequence.

“We see the same people, committing the same crimes, getting arrested repeatedly only to be released back into our communities to victimize more of our citizens,” the unions stated.

This latest call for her removal adds to the growing list of East Bay institutions advocating for Price's ouster. Congressman Eric Swalwell, who represents the region and has previously clashed with Price on social media, publicly endorsed the recall last week. In June, the county prosecutors' union voted overwhelmingly in favor of her removal, and the California Association of Realtors has donated $50,000 to the recall campaign.

The opposition comes as no surprise to many observers. Price has faced criticism for what is perceived as a lenient stance on crime and controversial hiring decisions, including bringing in an Oakland Deputy Chief who was previously dismissed for misconduct. Additionally, she has revived previously dropped charges against three police officers under questionable legal circumstances.

The recall effort against Price began just six months into her tenure, collecting 74,000 verified signatures over a 10-month period. The campaign echoes the successful 2022 recall of San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin, whose progressive policies mirrored Price's approach to criminal justice reform. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao also faces a recall vote this November, driven by similar public safety concerns.