Mitchell, a former police chief for Prince George’s County, on Monday started his new job as director of public safety and chief of the police department for the University of Maryland, the same school where he earned his bachelor’s, masters and law degrees.
What’s it like going back to the school where it all began?
Oh my goodness, it’s like back to the future. To say that I’m happy is an understatement.
How has the campus changed?
The campus has grown, more infrastructure, more students. We’re serving a population of roughly 60,000 — of which 33,000 are students. It’s a big city.
Did they have rioting when you were going to school?
There certainly were civil disturbances. My first experience here was wearing a flak jacket and a helmet for a protest against the Vietnam War. Students were expressing dissatisfaction, like they were on campuses across the country. What we’re seeing now is alcohol-fueled behavior that involves groupthink after certain sporting events.
How do you plan to deal with the tension between students and police after Prince George’s police were caught on video beating protesters after the basketball victory over Duke?
We have to engage the student body and figure out how do we develop new traditions. You want to celebrate after a big win. How can we do that so we don’t set fires, destroy property, harm bystanders or throw things at police? One thought is have a bonfire, have players or coaches come down.
How did you deal with potential rioters as head of the Prince George’s police?
We asked the establishments and convenience stores to dispense in paper cups, not glasses or bottles, and they did. We emptied trash on campus. At halftime, we had a fire engine drive to the Dumpsters where fires traditionally had been set, and we soaked them. We had a sanctioned bonfire on fraternity row. The only other thing that burned was two guys that set their shirts on fire.
— Scott McCabe
