ANTIOCH — As part of ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust in law enforcement and strengthen accountability, the Antioch City Council filled a slot Tuesday on its Police Oversight Commission and approved a consulting agreement to further a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice.
With the appointment of Joseph Mitchell, the commission now includes seven members. Due to an agreement between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice, the commission plays a pivotal role in ensuring police oversight under a 25-page memorandum of understanding between Antioch and the federal body – an action taken following scandals and alleged criminal activities that have impacted the city’s police department.
While the appointment of Mitchell as the city’s newest police oversight commissioner was a needed action, it came with objections from residents over his alleged racist, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-immigrant social media postings.
A Facebook account that appears to be tied to Mitchell has reposted material as early as February that shared support for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. There was also a reposting of a video from Libs of TikTok – an account run by Chaya Raichik that has been accused of promoting far-right and anti-LGBTQ+ content.
Kimberly Payton, vice president of the East County branch of the NAACP, said she was “disturbed” by Mitchell’s apparent actions on social media – actions that could be considered counter to the commission’s goals such as improved relationships between the police and community.
“When you post on social media, you represent that way, that means you think that way,” said Payton during Tuesday’s city council meeting. “What is healing? What is unifying about somebody with those types of views? I’m failing to see that connection.”
Resident Erika Raulston said an individual with a “public record like that” cannot be expected to act fairly, impartially, or in the best interest of Antioch.
“We deserve a commissioner who is unbiased, moderate, and committed to justice, not someone who reflects and enforces problems that this commission was meant to solve. I urge this council to do the right thing and reject this appointment,” said Raulston.
Mayor Ron Bernal said he chose Mitchell based on the interview process but did not look at his social media activity.
“The major accusation overall is that he is not a genuine believer in police accountability and police reform in the wrong direction, those are what I’ve tracked as an accusation leverage of tonight, and we will give him an opportunity to speak,” said Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker.
Mitchell defended some of his posts and called himself a “moderate conservative.” He said he was shocked, disappointed, and felt betrayed by the accusations hurled at him by residents without context.
“Elon Musk, I don’t get the connection. It was a (repost) that commented on DOGE policies and cutting costs, things of that nature, not embracing a person, not postings, but just observations,” said Mitchell. “I was called a racist because I posted about the Grammy Awards because Beyonce won. No comment, just posting a list of achievements. I didn’t agree with the choice of the Grammy Awards, but just posting, and I was called a racist.
“I’m personally hurt by a lot of things that were said tonight because they were not true, and I did this because I want the city to get better. I’ve lived here for 35 years, and this is a hit on me, on my reputation, and I’ve worked hard to be a good person because this is unfounded stuff.”
Bernal suggested delaying Mitchell’s selection for the purpose of due diligence, but Torres-Walker objected and motioned to appoint Mitchell.
“As a victim of police violence in this city, it’s important to me that anybody who is appointed to this commission has a diverse outlook on what community policing means, what police accountability means, and what it continues to look like,” said Torres-Walker.
She encouraged Bernal to follow up with other commissioners to ensure that their “individual biases are not making it into the process.”
Mitchell was unanimously appointed to the commission for a term that will end in November.
Councilmembers Donald Freitas and Monica Wilson said the council and residents will scrutinize his actions and urged him to prove his naysayers wrong.
“This is a partial appointment, and Joe, I will tell you that it’s for six months, and if the council does approve this appointment, every word you utter, every action you make, is going to be scrutinized,” said Freitas. “I think that you’re up (for) this job. I believe that you’re fair and honest, and I pray to God that you don’t disappoint us.”
Separately, the city council also on Tuesday approved a contract with MS Investigative Services and Consulting, LLC to serve as a consultant in line with Antioch’s agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to increase police oversight.
The consultant will serve as the department’s point of contact and will be retained by the Antioch Police Department. The agreement, paid by the city, should not exceed $250,000 annually for a three-year term.