Fremont’s new police chief outlines plan

Fremont Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said his first goals are reducing property crime, cutting deadly traffic crashes and taking a regional approach to homelessness. (cbsnews.com) Mitchell was sworn in on April 16, 2026, after joining the Fremont Police Department in March. City Manager Karena Shackelford appointed him following a nationwide search. (fremont.gov) (patch.com) In interviews last week, Mitchell said residents have raised concerns about retail theft and reckless driving. He said the department can use real-time crime information to explain where officers are deployed and why. (ktvu.com) (aol.com) Traffic safety is a live issue in Fremont even as recent enforcement has increased. The city says traffic stops and citations rose 134% in 2025 from 2024, while fatal traffic crashes fell to seven from 12. (fremont.gov) Fremont’s police department is not starting from scratch. Its 2024-2027 strategic plan already calls for crime mitigation, traffic safety work, homelessness coordination, recruitment and stronger community partnerships. (fremontpolice.gov) Mitchell brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including 25 years in Kansas City and chief roles in Temple, Lubbock and Oakland. Fremont’s police department lists 199 sworn positions and 319.5 full-time employees. (fremontpolice.gov 1) (fremontpolice.gov 2) His Oakland tenure still shadows the move. Mitchell resigned there in December 2025 after about 18 months, though he said last week that crime dropped by more than 25% while he led the department. (cbsnews.com) (ktvu.com) For Fremont, the immediate test is simpler: whether more visible enforcement, clearer data and neighborhood outreach can lower the crimes and crashes residents say they notice most. (ktvu.com) (cbsnews.com)