Former OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell refused to sit down with the press. Will the next chief be more accessible?

"These kinds of interviews differ fundamentally from most other interactions between government officials and the media. Press conferences, brief phone interviews, and emailed questions are typically tied to specific developments or breaking news. By contrast, an in-depth interview is an open-ended conversation that allows a journalist to press a public official with tough questions and pursue immediate follow-ups when answers fall short or require clarification."

"Floyd Mitchell served as the chief of the Oakland Police Department for 19 months but never agreed to sit down for a media interview, except once, according to a review of published news stories and segments. Mitchell's record of not talking to the media is unusual. While still a candidate for the job in 2024, he signaled that he would prioritize communication, telling the Police Commission, the civilian-run watchdog group that oversees OPD, he was committed to working with the community and "providing regular access""

Leaders of large government agencies must act as the public face and voice of their organizations and use extended one-on-one interviews to communicate. In-depth interviews differ from press conferences, brief phone calls, and emailed questions because they are open-ended and allow journalists to press officials and pursue immediate follow-ups when answers fall short or require clarification. Such interviews help the public understand leaders' values, goals, and records. Floyd Mitchell served as Oakland Police chief for 19 months and granted only one sit-down media interview despite earlier pledges to prioritize communication and provide regular access. Other local public safety leaders routinely grant lengthy interviews.

Read at The Oaklandside