Oakland's police chief is out.
Sean Whent resigned abruptly Thursday, ending a 20-year career with the city's police department. While the exact reason for his departure is unknown, it comes amid a widening sex scandal involving some of the city's officers as well as other allegations of police misconduct that have occurred on the chief's watch.
The sex scandal in particular, which centered around an underage girl, has also ensnared members of the Richmond Police Department and the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. Mayor Libby Schaaf said it’s unrelated to Whent's departure, but some remain skeptical about her candor on the issue.
In a statement issued from Schaaf and City Administrator Sabrina Landreth, Whent said he was proud to have served the city for the past two decades.
"When I took this job three years ago as interim chief, I vowed to help move the department forward and make Oakland safer by forging a stronger relationship with members of this diverse community. I am proud to have done that," Whent said.
Ben Fairow, who currently serves as deputy chief of BART police, will be filling Whent's shoes while the city conducts a national search for a permanent replacement.
Read more about the sudden resignation of Oakland's police chief here.