'It Has Been An Honor': Oakland Police Chief Submits Resignation

OAKLAND, CA — Oakland's police chief is expected to resign, just over a year and six months after taking on the role, city officials announced today.

Mitchell Floyd was hired as the city's police chief in 2024, saying at the time that he was looking forward to working with community members to "build a stronger and safer Oakland."

On Wednesday, city officials announced that he intended to resign, effective Dec. 5.

It's unclear why Mitchell is resigning. City officials said he'd be working closely with Mayor Barbara Lee and City Administrator Jestin Johnson to figure out who will be taking over his role in the interim as the city looks for a new chief before stepping down/

"It has been an honor to serve the Oakland community, and I am grateful for the support I've received from the residents," Mitchell said in a statement on Wednesday. "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."

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee thanked Floyd for his work during his tenure, saying he served the city during what was "a critical time for our city."

"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," Lee said. "I am grateful for Chief Mitchell's collaboration with our administration and his focus on community-centered policing."

Mitchell started his law enforcement career with the Missouri Police Department more than 25 years ago. Since then, he's served as chief for multiple police departments in Texas before arriving in Oakland in 2024, according to city officials.