Overview

• Mitchell submitted a letter of intent to resign, with his departure effective Dec. 5 after beginning his tenure in May 2024.
• He will work with Mayor Barbara Lee and City Administrator Jestin Johnson to identify an interim police chief in the coming weeks.
• In a statement, he called serving Oakland an honor and pledged a smooth transition, while Lee credited his tenure with significant reductions in crime.
• No specific reason was cited for his resignation, though prior reporting notes ongoing federal oversight and a judge’s order requiring Internal Affairs to report directly to him.
• A 35-year policing veteran hired from Lubbock after a yearlong search to replace LeRonne Armstrong, he is the city’s 12th chief or acting chief since 2000.