Overview
- Mitchell submitted a letter of intent to resign effective December 5 and will work with Mayor Barbara Lee and City Administrator Jestin Johnson to identify an interim chief.
- City statements did not give a reason for his departure, and the mayor credited his tenure with significant crime reductions.
- Department data cited in coverage show robberies down about 40% and homicides down about 21% year over year during his leadership.
- The police union said it was deeply concerned by the resignation and urged city leaders to address longstanding dysfunction and restore stability.
- Oakland has cycled through 11 chiefs in 15 years as OPD remains under federal oversight first imposed in 2003 and extended by a judge in 2024; commissioners say a timeline for the search has not been set.