A Chief for Everyone: Floyd Mitchell to Lead Lubbock Police Department

Floyd Mitchell, center, flanked by City Councilmembers at his swearing in ceremony in the Lubbock City Council Chambers. Photo by Josh Bray.

By Josh Bray

After 27 years in the department and a tenure of four years as chief for Lubbock Police Department, Greg Stevens has moved to Rockport, Texas, a small town along the coast where his role as chief has went from supervising 600 employees to 30. Stevens said he would characterize his move not as getting away from Lubbock, but as starting a new chapter in his life.

“The time was right, we reached a great level of law enforcement,” Stevens said. “And I’ve always loved the ocean, loved the coast.”

A search for a new chief of police began – in stepped Floyd Mitchell.

Mitchell began his law enforcement career in the Kansas City police department. He worked in the Control, Investigations, Undercover, and Administration divisions. After 25 years Mitchell left Kansas City as a division commander and took a police chief job in Temple, Texas.  After four years as chief of Temple, Mitchell found himself as chief of LPD, filling the shoes Stevens left.

When asked if he had any advice for Mitchell, Stevens didn’t think there was much advice he could give Mitchell he wouldn’t already know but still found words he thought could be useful.

“It’s a tough business, you can never make everyone happy,” Stevens said. “Glad to see they’ve chosen someone who will take the department in the right direction. I think he’s well-qualified, well-educated He’s taken over a great department with great people. Best advice I can give another chief is stay the course.”

Mitchell emphasized how his interest in the decentralization process, which was started under Stevens according to Councilwoman Sheila Harris, is one of the reasons he became Lubbock’s new chief of police.

Lubbock Police Vehicles locate outside City Hall. Photo by Josh Bray.

“Going from a centralized format to a decentralized format,” Mitchell said. “To provide resources closer to residents of those communities and build those relationship from a community policing standpoint. I thought this would be a great opportunity for a law enforcement professional.”

Mitchell said he was looking forward to the decentralization process of the police department, but also acknowledged it will be the biggest challenge he faces as chief. Harris said Mitchell’s experience in the Kansas City Police Department and interest in the decentralization process is what stood out about him against the other candidates.

According to both Harris and Mitchell, the decentralization process will see police substations spread around Lubbock, instead of the single station system currently in place. Mitchell stated the decentralization process would see 300 of the almost 500 officers working in different substations throughout the city.

According to research done by the Florida, decentralization of local police departments can potentially have some short-term cons, particularly when it comes to cost. The potential long-term benefits of decentralization include savings in regard to officer travel and proactive officer involvement in certain communities.

On top of helping finish the decentralization process, Mitchell makes history by becoming the first black police chief of Lubbock, an achievement not missed by him or Harris. Harris, a Lubbock native, touched on what having a black police chief in Lubbock meant to her.

“The fact that he’s black, that just tickles me pink. It does. Because you know, we want to have some type of connection to people who are doing things. But do you see he brings something to the table?” Harris said. “I pray that if we as a community, the Lubbock community, allow him to come to this space, and offer up some of the things that he has, to help us move to a better space, man it’s going to be awesome. But we have to give him the opportunity to do that, and we have to do our part.”

Mitchell also commented on what being the first black police chief of Lubbock meant to him.

“I think it’s very important, for the entire community, not just the minority community,” Chief Mitchell said. “I know it’s very important for me as well. It gives people the ability to connect with someone who is similar to them. But I think it’s important for people to understand that I’m a police chief for everyone. I’m a black police chief, but I’m a police chief for everyone. I want [Tech students] to understand I’m here for them. I’m here to work with them and welcome them into the Lubbock community.”

About Reece Nations, Managing Editor