. >> reporter: pastor billy dixon supports the chief. >> i hope he stays because i believe he has more to offer than to lose. >> reporter: he has known chief armstrong for decades. he also worked with him from a professional standpoint on operation cease-fire, the city's crime-fighting strategic plan. >> he is somebody we worked with since he was a sergeant. i worked with him as a lieutenant and captain. he has never been in any trouble. >> reporter: he says chief armstrong is more than well-liked in the community. he is effective in reducing crime. he says the latest incident won't hurt the effort to stop gun violence. >> no one man stops the progress of what's going towards oakland. >> reporter: the new mayor was flying back from a work conference is in washington, d.c. today. i will talk about how she plans to move forward with chief armstrong. >> thank you. >>> in addition to oakland's mayor and city mission or, they have the power to fire the chief. in a statement, they said armstrong's sidelining is not a disciplinary action. >>> oakland has had a revolving door of police officer

pastor billy dixon at thy word christian center has known chief armstrong personally and professionally. he believes he's effective and credits his work on the city's crime fighting strategy operation ceasefire. >> somebody that we worked with since he was a sergeant, worked with whim as a lieutenant and captain and never been in trouble. >> we make mistakes once in a while and i hope he stays in oakland as the police chief. >> reporter: oakland mayor sheng tao and the city administrator said in a statement the decision was not taken lightly, but we believe that it is critical for the safety of our community that we build trust and confidence between the department and the public. >> let's keep in supporting our police officers, you know, men and women in the police department. >> reporter: in addition to oakland's mayor and city administrator, the police commission has the power to fire the chief. in a statement friday, it said armstrong sidelining is not a disciplinary action. >>> the search has been called off for a missing san francisco state who was swept away by a rogue wave in pa

. >> reporter: pastor billy dixon has known police chief leran armstrong for decades. he has also worked with him from a professional standpoint on operation cease fire. the city's crime fighting strategic plan? someone we worked with since he was a sergeant. >> reporter: he says chief armstrong is more than just well liked in the community. he is effective in helping to reduce crime. >> how do we feel? we love our police chief. we love him. >> reporter: but people inside and outside of the police department question if the chief is gone for good. after city leaders placed him on leave. >> certainly doesn't create any optimism. or any motivation for the chief to stay. >> reporter: a report says chief armstrong failed to hold the sergeant accountable. authorities say the sergeant was involved in a hit and run collision of a parked car. that sergeant reportedly also fired add gun in an elevator at the police department. we make mistakes once in a while. and i hope he stays in oakland as the police chief. and but at the same time, give him the support and certainly if we