Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao ended a protracted search for a new police chief Friday, naming Floyd Mitchell, the former police chief of Lubbock, Texas, to take the reins of the city’s embattled police department. Mitchell, who has clocked over 30 years in law enforcement, steps into a vacant role since the previous chief's firing over 13 months ago, SFist reported.

According to the mayor’s office, Mitchell, also a United States Air Force veteran and former Kansas City patrol officer, edged out other candidates due to his "commitment to proven crime reduction strategies" and an approach that emphasizes "proactive policing and strong officer-community engagement," noted by NBC Bay Area. Amid a troubling spike in crime in Oakland, including robberies and homicides, Mayor Thao expressed confidence in Mitchell's capability to deliver results and drive down crime rates.

Mitchell’s appointment comes as a relief to a city gripped by political turmoil and rising crime statistics following the departure of former Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong. With Oakland’s Police Department remaining under federal oversight for two decades and facing increasing public safety concerns, Mitchell's experience will be tested as he confronts these enduring challenges. Yet, his track record in Texas was mixed with success and controversy, as under his watch, Lubbock experienced a scandal involving over 30,000 abandoned 911 calls.

The new chief acknowledged past issues, telling the San Francisco Chronicle, "I learned from that situation, and I will definitely take what I learned when I come into Oakland." But Mitchell retains the confidence of Oakland's leadership, with Mayor Thao underlining his "smart crimefighter" credentials and Mitchell himself expressing an eagerness to cultivate a partnership with the Oakland community, according to a statement made to NBC Bay Area.

Sgt. Huy Nguyen, president of the Oakland Police Officers' Association, did not ignore the role of Interim Chief Darren Allison, commending his unwavering efforts and leadership during an uncertain interim. Mitchell is positioned to begin his tenure in late April or early May, marking a new chapter for the Oakland Police Department as it strives to reclaim the trust and safety of the community it serves.