Panel Probing Police Conduct Disbanded

An independent panel that was going to investigate allegations that police used excessive force during an antiwar rally at the Port of Oakland last April has disbanded and probably won’t be replaced.

The five-member volunteer panel, made up of three retired judges, a civil rights attorney and an assistant police chief from Washington, D.C., was set up in June by the city of Oakland. It was supposed to complete its work by September and submit a written report.

But members have met only twice so far and thought they could not do a sufficiently thorough job due to the time constraints, said Karen Boyd of the city attorney’s office. They had also expressed concern because the incident is now mired in litigation.