BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield police will have a new chief starting May 1, with the department selecting longtime Assistant Chief Brent Stratton to take over the top job.
Stratton, a Bakersfield native, has spent 22 years with the Bakersfield Police Department. He said he grew up wanting to work for BPD, noting both of his parents worked at the department and that he dressed up as a police officer for multiple Halloweens.
“I want to decrease crime, but I also want to increase the feeling of safety. And, I just want to be able to solve the problems that are facing our community. There’s no shortage of them. With the city our size and the department our size, there are no shortages of problems and things to work on,” Stratton said.
The selection process began about four months ago and included community input, along with multiple interview rounds, according to Christian Clegg, the Bakersfield city manager.
“We had two rounds of interviews. We had multiple panels on each of those rounds of interviews. We actually put the candidates a little bit through the ringer A lot of bit through the ringer,” Clegg said, acknowledging Stratton.
Among the issues Stratton said he plans to tackle is the police budget. Just over $130 million was allocated for the police department, nearly 20 percent of the city’s budget.
“We are looking at ways that we can be more efficient with what we have and being able to look into increasing some of those efficiencies and make sure we’re being fiscally responsible,” Stratton said.
Stratton’s experience includes work with the SWAT team, gang unit, internal affairs, and robbery and homicide, among other roles.
“I will strive and work every day to earn the trust of the people who live, work, and visit our city, as well as the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to defending them. It’s an amazing honor,” Stratton said.
Stratton will succeed Chief Greg Terry, who is set to retire in April after 29 years with the department, including six years as chief.