Press Release: 5/21/2021 – City Council

In late 2020, the City of Bishop initiated a comprehensive search for a Chief of Police following the retirement of former Chief Ted Stec.

[SWM Background Note – Chief Stec announced his retirement after 5 years of service with the Bishop Police Department.]

The extremely successful recruitment process was facilitated by the Executive Search Firm, Ralph Andersen and Associates, with retired Police Chief Greg Nelson acting as lead recruiter. The process yielded nine applicants which were put through a rigorous screening, reducing the field to three highly qualified candidates.

[SWM Background Note – Lt. Josh Ellsworth was appointed as the interim police chief of the City of Bishop Police Department effective Nov. 11, 2021. Ellsworth’s service provided the department with stable leadership while the City undertook the process of finding a new police chief.]

On Wednesday, May 19, the finalists participated in an individual interview process with two interview panels, the City Council, and a separate panel of selected professionals.

The position has been conditionally offered to Richard Standridge subject to an extensive background check. Standridge has spent over 20 years with the City of Porterville Police Department, currently serving as the Investigations Division Lieutenant. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Phoenix and is nearing completion of a Master’s degree in Justice Management from the University of Nevada Reno. Standridge is also a graduate of POST Command College.