Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell stepping down

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell is resigning from his role in the Oakland Police Department less than two years after taking the position, city officials announced Wednesday.

The resignation is effective December 5. Mitchell will work with Mayor Barbara Lee and the city administrator to name an interim police chief in the coming weeks, officials said.

Mitchell was named OPD Chief of Police by former Mayor Sheng Thao in March 2024. His appointment came after a year-long search following the firing of LeRonne Armstrong.

“I want to thank Chief Mitchell for his dedicated service to Oakland and his leadership during a critical time for our city,” Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said in a statement. “Under his tenure, we have seen significant reductions in crime – a testament to his commitment to public safety and the hard work of our police officers.”

The sudden announcement of the chief’s departure comes one day after Mayor Lee delivered her first State of the City address. Lee announced that homicides in the city have dropped 27%, robberies were down 40% and car thefts were down 43% compared to the previous year.

Mitchell arrived in Oakland after working as the Chief of Police in Lubbock, Texas. He held the position in Lubbock for four years before resigning in September 2023. Before that, he served with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department for 25 years.

“It has been an honor to serve the Oakland community, and I am grateful for the support I’ve received from the residents,” a statement from Mitchell said. “I’m incredibly proud of the men and women of this Department and the collaborative working relationships forged with the community and business owners to reduce crime. My commitment over the weeks ahead is to help ensure a smooth transition and continue to keep Oakland safe.”

In an email obtained by KRON4, Mitchell told Oakland police officers that the decision to resign was not easy, “nor was it made in haste.” The chief did not disclose a specific reason for leaving the department, but said the decision came after “much reflection and consultation with trusted colleagues and loved ones.”

The Oakland Police Officers Association released a statement following Mitchell’s announcement, saying it was “deeply concerned” about the “troubling pattern of instability at the highest levels of city government and the Oakland Police Department.”

“Chief Mitchell is now the 6th police chief in the past five years,” the police union said. “This instability will likely make it very difficult to find a new, qualified chief to take Chief Mitchell’s place.”