OAKLAND, CA – The Oakland Police and the Oakland Mayor’s Office issued a press release announcing that current Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell is stepping down in December of this year. Sadly, the news is no surprise here as many Oaklanders have shared with me how much Floyd Mitchell does not seem to be embracing his job. Floyd Mitchell was clearly an outsider, not used to Oakland. But the real question here is will LeRonne Armstrong get his job back? Let’s deal with the first news, first.
Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell To Quit Says Press Release From OPD
Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell has submitted to the City a letter of intent to resign, effective December 5, 2025.
Over the next several weeks, Chief Mitchell has committed to working closely with Mayor Barbara Lee and City Administrator Jestin Johnson to identify an interim Chief of Police to ensure the seamless transition of leadership and the continued effective operation of the Office of the Chief of Police.
“It has been an honor to serve the Oakland community, and I am grateful for the support I’ve received from the residents,” Chief 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.”
“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. “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. I am grateful for Chief Mitchell’s collaboration with our administration and his focus on community-centered policing. The women and men of the Oakland Police Department have my full support as we work together to ensure a smooth transition and continue building on the progress we’ve made for Oakland’s residents.
“I’d like to thank Chief Mitchell for his service to the city of Oakland, and his unwavering support provided to the women and men of the Oakland Police Department,” Oakland City Administrator Jestin Johnson said. “In addition, I am grateful for his leadership and contributions as a member of our executive team.”
Throughout this transition, Chief Mitchell will remain committed to supporting the people of Oakland, the Mayor’s Office, City leadership, and the members of the Oakland Police Department.
Chief Mitchell will remain focused on maintaining public safety and ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in Oakland during this period of transition.
Biography: Floyd Mitchell (born 1967 or 1968) is an American police officer who has served as chief of the Oakland Police Department since 2024. He previously served as chief of the Lubbock Police Department from 2019 to 2023, as well as chief of the Temple, Texas, police department.
Will Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Come Back To OPD?
The real question is will Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee rehire Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong? As you should recall, LeRonne Armstrong was controversially fired by then-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. As far back as December of 2022, it was told to Zennie62Media that Mayor Elect Thao preferred an Asian OPD Chief. Then another rumor was that Sheng wanted to put Anjelica Mendoza in the position of top cop. Whatever the case, it was clear that Sheng Thao launched a hit-job on LeRonne Armstrong.
if you recall, this space wrote:
But the smoking gun text message that ties Mayor Thao to the whole, made-up, allegation that LeRonne Armstrong did not appropriately follow up on one of 1,500 Oakland Police Internal Affairs investigations, is the first one of two time-stamped “8:15”. That’s where Webb agrees with my question of Sheng Thao had something to do with the ridiculous complaint about the IAD issue and the Chief, texting “Most certainly. She didn’t have to suspend him”, referring to what Thao did to Chief Armstrong.
In turn, LeRonne Armstrong filed a lawsuit against the City of Oakland, which is still active. If he is to come back, one would think time to unwind and settle the lawsuit is the next step. That is, if Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee indeed intends to bring LeRonne Armstrong back.
Stay tuned.