Two minority women were recently promoted within the Oakland Police Department.
Capt. Angelica Mendoza was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police and will be assigned to the newly-formed Bureau of Risk Management.
For the last 25 years, Mendoza has served the community of Oakland, where she was born and raised. She is the first Latina to be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief.
Since 2019, Mendoza has been the Area 4 Commander, where she has fostered trusting relationships, especially in the Latinx community, officials said Friday.
She is fluent in Spanish and incorporates her personal experiences and background to connect with the community.
Manager Kiona Suttle was promoted to Deputy Director of Bureau of Services. In her new position, the Oakland native will become the department’s first African American Deputy Director and the highest-ranking professional staff member.
Suttle has served the Oakland community for more than two decades, having overseen the department’s human resources section, the records division, served in both internal affairs and the Office of Inspector General.
Officials said newly-appointed Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong has appointed the most diverse executive team in the history of the Oakland Police Department, and these promotions reflect his commitment to the department and the community it serves.