Oakland police slam mayor over Occupy protests

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland police department’s rank-and-file are slamming Mayor Jean Quan for her shifting stance on the city’s Occupy Wall Street protests a day before protesters’ planned general strike.

The Oakland Police Officer’s Association sent an open letter to the mayor Tuesday questioning why the city plans to beef up its police presence at strike-related events while giving city workers leeway to participate.

City offices are to remain open Wednesday. But in a memo Friday, City Administrator Deanna Santana said workers can use vacation or other paid time off to participate in the strike.

Police are upset that they were asked to clear the protesters’ encampment a week ago, only to have the mayor let the camp resume a day later.

Quan’s office didn’t immediately respond to the letter.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.