Oakland’s new police chief steps into role
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao formally introduced Floyd Mitchell as the city’s next police chief Wednesday — an opportunity both leaders took to tell the public they believe he will drive down crime and build strong relationships in the community at a time of heightened concerns about public safety.
“As Oakland’s police chief I look forward to working with all of the residents, business owners, city leadership, fellow law enforcement agencies and our local media partners to build a stronger and safer Oakland,” Mitchell said during the introduction at City Hall.
Thao called it a “joyous day,” describing Mitchell as a solid leader who values integrity and accountability.
“He’s a smart crime fighter who delivers results, and it is what I demand,” Thao said. “As your mayor, I demand results.”
She added: “He’s not flashy, but he will roll up his sleeves and do the real work to ensure our community’s success.”
Mitchell, 56, was the first Black police chief in Lubbock, Texas. He resigned in September after four years at the helm. Before that he served as police chief in Temple, a small city in central Texas. The Air Force veteran started his law enforcement career with the police department in Kansas City, Mo. — a diverse metropolitan area similar to Oakland, Mitchell said.
Thao has said that Lubbock saw overall crime decrease and response times improve under Mitchell’s leadership. She also acknowledged the sharp increase in crime in Oakland in recent years, and stressed that public safety is her top concern.
As an outsider, Mitchell said he will talk to command staff, officers and community members as he develops plans to curb crime. He spoke of turning the police department into the premiere law enforcement “employer of choice” in the Bay Area through pay, benefits and support for officers from the top down.
Another priority will be to sit down with the federal monitor who oversees the Oakland Police Department to identify key steps it must take to end the oversight, which began two decades ago after a police scandal in 2001 exposed a squad of officers who beat residents and planted drugs on them.
Mitchell’s appointment — one of Thao’s most consequential decisions as mayor — ended more than a year of controversy and uncertainty over the highprofile position, after Thao fired Chief LeRonne Armstrong last year a month after taking office.
Armstrong’s dismissal came after an independent law firm found he mishandled two officer misconduct cases, although an arbitrator later cleared him of wrongdoing.
During Mitchell’s tenure in Lubbock, the police department faced issues with its 911 system. Abandoned 911 calls doubled in two years, to 30,000 in 2022, out of a total of 183,00 calls, according to news reports. That means more than 16% of 911 callers hung up before their call was answered.
Mitchell told the Chronicle last week that he didn’t pay close attention to the matter, focusing instead on how quickly answered calls were dispatched. In hindsight, he said he should have paid close attention to both metrics.
“I learned from that situation, and I will definitely take what I learned when I come into Oakland,” he said in an interview.
Mitchell said he resigned his Lubbock position after difficult decisions he made were met with resistance, although he wouldn’t elaborate.
On Wednesday, Mitchell reiterated that he supports the city’s Operation Ceasefire violence-prevention program, which focuses on residents deemed most at risk of getting caught up in gun violence. Thao revived the program last year after it went dormant during the pandemic.
Mitchell said he values “high-visibility,” proactive, data-driven and responsible policing, adding, “I believe we must be acutely focused on the areas and individuals that are causing the most harm to our communities and hold this small group of individuals accountable.”
He also stressed that he values strong community-police relationships. “Let me be clear: I know the police department can’t accomplish this monumental task alone,” he said.
“I will work tirelessly to earn the trust, respect and confidence” from residents, business owners and department members, Mitchell said.
Also in attendance at the event were department leaders, council members, city staff and community leaders.
Council Member Treva Reid said she appreciates Mitchell’s desire to work with community members.
“I think he said a lot of things we want to hear,” Reid said. “We’re looking forward to getting him out in the community” for him to hear from East Oakland residents as he develops his plans for public safety.
“We think he can deliver from what he shared,” Reid said. “We want to see that in action.”
Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas called the appointment a milestone for the city. The chief will play an important role in the city’s multifaceted and comprehensive plans to improve public safety, Bas said.
Mitchell’s hiring sends a message that the city is recommitted to public safety, she said.
Mitchell will start the job in late April or early May.
“He’s a smart crime fighter who delivers results, and it is what I demand.”
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao