James Beere was sworn in as Oakland's police chief Wednesday, becoming the city's seventh chief or interim chief in the past six years. James Beere was sworn in Wednesday as Oakland's police chief, becoming the city's seventh chief or interim chief in the past six years. Beere has been with the Oakland Police Department for 29 years and had served as interim chief since Floyd Mitchell resigned last year. Beere becomes Oakland's 12th police chief — permanent or interim — in the past 15 years. The Oakland Police Officers' Association backed Lee's decision to appoint Beere as permanent chief.