What does Police Chief Floyd Mitchell's exit mean for Oakland?

"Being a police chief in a major city in the United States today is half political and half administrative. They set the policies of the department. They coordinate with the city administration, the mayor, the council, and other elected officials. They pick leadership, like the deputy chiefs and the captains. And they manage big picture stuff, like the budget, personnel, and rules."

"A key part of what a police chief does is ensure the disciplinary process has integrity. And in Oakland, the chief has the extra responsibility of ensuring compliance with the Negotiated Settlement Agreement. The Oakland police chief also has three bosses who can fire them: the Police Commission, the mayor - and the federal monitor. The chief has other bosses who make big demands on them, including the City Council and the public. To sum it up, it's a super hard job."

Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell resigned effective Dec. 5. The resignation comes amid a sustained drop in crime, ongoing debates over public safety policies, a budget crisis that has hamstrung OPD and other city departments, and a police staffing shortage. There are outstanding questions about whether the department can complete its court-ordered reform program under the Negotiated Settlement Agreement. The city has experienced significant turnover in top leadership, including a new mayor. The police chief role includes setting departmental policy, managing budget and personnel, ensuring disciplinary integrity, and coordinating with multiple oversight authorities.

Read at The Oaklandside