Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on Wednesday formally introduced the city's new police chief, Floyd Mitchell, who faces a tall task leading a department that has had a revolving door of top cops and remains under federal oversight.
The Oakland Police Department has had 12 chiefs in the past 20 years and is still operating under a federal monitor because of The Riders scandal from more than two decades ago.
Mitchell, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement, including 25 years with the Kansas City Police Department. He was most recently chief of police in Lubbock, Texas for four years.
The president of the Lubbock Professional Police Association recently told NBC Bay Area the union's relationship with Mitchell was "like any other, it had its ups and downs."
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Mitchell resigned as Lubbock's chief last September, and a reason was never disclosed. But the department did come under fire over abandoned 911 calls under his tenure.
Robert Beamon, who worked alongside Mitchell as the department chaplain in Temple, Texas, told NBC Bay Area Mitchell had a positive impact as Temple’s first black chief of police.
Mitchell still has to clear certain state requirements, including a test. The mayor says that process is underway.
Mitchell's appointment follows more than a year of no permanent police chief in Oakland. Thao fired Chief LeRonne Armstrong in February 2023, weeks before the department would have completed its federal oversight program after 20 years.
It's a welcomed announcement for many as "Visit Oakland" works to attract people to the city.
"We are welcoming visitors from all over the world and I know safety and security is key for any destination. So this is a great day for Oakland," said Peter Gamez, CEO of Visit Oakland.
In his first 100 days on the job, Mitchell said he’s focused on getting to know staff, city leadership, community and addressing major issues facing Oakland, including addressing getting out from under more than 20 years of federal overnight.
“It’s working with the city administrator, it's working with the mayor in addressing those small things that will help us get better and help us. Attack the violent crime issue within Oakland but also work towards those issues of satisfying the federal monitor,” he said.
Councilmember Treva Reid, who represents East Oakland, said she is excited about the new top cop’s commitment to community.
“We want to see him at the table with us, hearing from us, meeting with us, understanding what strategies have worked, what strategies have not worked and helping to ensure he gets the deeper investment and resources that we need to get it done,” she said.
After 12 Oakland police chiefs in the past 20 years, Mitchell said he’s committed to Oakland.
“Straightly put, I’m not done policing,” he said. “I love public service and I love being a part of communities that are working together to address difficult issues in public safety,” he said.
Mitchell is expected to start by early May.
