Council appoints Joseph Mitchell to Police Oversight Commission amid public objections

Antioch — The City Council confirmed Mayor Ron Bernal’s appointment of Joseph Mitchell to the Antioch Police Oversight Commission (APOC) on May 13, approving the nomination by a 5‑0 vote after extended public comment and debate.

What the nomination was: Joseph Mitchell was the mayor’s pick for a partial term on APOC that expires in November 2025. The appointment followed a competitive application process for the vacant slot; the mayor’s office presented Mitchell as the selected candidate.

Public objections and council response: Dozens of residents spoke during public comment. Several opponents cited social‑media posts and public statements they said showed bias toward law enforcement, anti‑immigrant or anti‑LGBTQ sentiments. Erica Ralston, Gavin Peyton and others urged the council to reject the nomination because of those public posts and said the commission should include members who reflect and are trusted by people most affected by police actions. The East County NAACP president, Dr. Kimberly Payton, also asked the council to reconsider, saying the appointment could undermine trust in the oversight process.

Nominee’s comment and council deliberation: Mitchell addressed the council and said remarks circulating on social media were taken out of context and that he had been the target of an orchestrated online attack. He described decades of volunteer work in Antioch and said he wanted to help the city heal. Council members debated whether to postpone the appointment for further review. Several councilmembers said they had vetted candidates during interviews and wanted to give Mitchell a chance to serve. Councilmember Tamisha Torres Walker moved the nomination; the council adopted the appointment with a 5‑0 vote.

Why it matters: The APOC was created after high‑profile concerns about APD conduct and is intended to increase civilian oversight and public trust. Several speakers said appointing a commissioner whose online record raised community concern risked undoing hard‑won trust; others argued appointees should be judged by their conduct and service.

Next steps: Mitchell was sworn to the partial term and will sit on APOC; councilmembers and the public said they would monitor his participation closely. Council discussion included a reminder that appointed commissioners are accountable to the public and that complaints about commissioner conduct may be filed with the city.

Ending: The vote concluded a contentious public hearing that highlighted the fragile trust between parts of the community and local governance. Council members said they expect APOC commissioners to act transparently and report back to the council and community.