Transparency Under Fire: Oakland Police Refuse to Disclose Video of Ex-NFL Star Doug Martin’s In-Custody Death
It’s a story that’s shaking both sports fans and justice advocates: former NFL running back Doug Martin, once a star for the Oakland Raiders, has died after a disturbing encounter with police—and the Oakland Police Department (OPD) is now facing mounting pressure for refusing to release the body cam footage.
According to ABC7, the tragedy began on October 18, when Martin’s parents called police for help after he fled their home during what they described as a mental health crisis. Officers eventually found him inside a neighbor’s house, where they say a “brief struggle” broke out before Martin suffered a “medical emergency.” He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
But that’s where the story takes a darker turn. When The Oaklandside requested the body cam footage, Acting Police Chief James Beere flat-out refused, citing a loophole in the state’s Public Records Act. The OPD claims releasing the video would violate privacy and interfere with an “ongoing investigation.” Critics call that a textbook cover-up.
“Disclosure at this juncture would infringe on privacy interests,” the department said in its statement. Translation? You’re not seeing the video anytime soon.
Martin’s family, devastated and demanding answers, say their son was frightened and confused the night of his death—not violent. Meanwhile, every officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, and a small army of agencies—including OPD’s Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Bureau, the Alameda County DA’s Office, and the Community Police Review Agency—claims to be “investigating.”
Still, no footage. No answers. And no official cause of death.
Public outrage is growing, with many seeing this as yet another case of police opacity when accountability is most needed. As the city of Oakland faces renewed scrutiny, Doug Martin’s name has become a rallying cry—not just for justice, but for the right to see what really happened behind those body cameras.
