Oakland's police union is criticizing the department's leadership, as a judge gets ready to decide whether to hand control of the force to federal authorities.

In papers filed this month, lawyers for the Oakland Police Officers Association tell U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson that the department's leadership has been ineffective and failed to implement court-mandated reforms.

The reforms stem from alleged civil rights violations by officers.

Henderson is scheduled to hear arguments next month ahead of a decision on whether federal officials should take the department over. Police and city officials are opposed to a takeover, saying they have made progress on reforms.

Attorneys in favor of a takeover disagree.

Henderson has given both sides until Nov. 29 to come up with some areas of agreement.