Can Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee help end the police’s federal oversight? A judge is optimistic.

OAKLAND — For over two decades, efforts to lift the Oakland Police Department out from under the watchful eye of a federal judge have fallen short. Now, though, the department may be nearing the finish line.

If Judge William Orrick does relinquish control of the often scandal-ridden department by the end of this year, he may ultimately credit Mayor Barbara Lee, the former congresswoman to whom Orrick offered glowing praise at a court hearing this week.

The department’s oversight...