BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry announced his retirement in April. After a handful of community input sessions and interviews with close to a dozen candidates, the city and the police department is one huge step closer to picking its next top officer.<\/p>\n
The first candidate is Assistant Chief Brent Stratton, who has served on the force for 22 years.<\/p>\n
Possible candidates for next Bakersfield chief of police announced <\/a><\/p>\n While with the department, he has served in a number of roles including the Special Enforcement Unit, Homicide Detective, Lieutenant, Captain and the SWAT team.<\/p>\n He is also the president of the California Association of Tactical Officers and local nonprofit Youth Connection.<\/p>\n The second candidate is Assistant Chief Jeremy Blakemore with 23 years with BPD.<\/p>\n Blakemore is a Bakersfield native and has served in a number of roles including the K-9 Unit, an Academy Instructor, and the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Detail.<\/p>\n He also oversees a number of units including the Auto Theft Task Force, Crime Analysis Unit, Patrol Section and Community Relations Unit.<\/p>\n \u201cOur community really wants someone who is going to have the highest of ethical standards, someone who\u2019s going to be trustworthy, somebody who\u2019s going to be honest,\u201d said City Manager Christian Clegg.<\/p>\n In 2022, Bakersfield voters passed Measure L, which would \u201cremove all requirements that the Fire Chief and Police Chief be appointed from within their respective departments.\u201d<\/p>\n Bakersfield Police Chief announces retirement for April 2026 <\/a><\/p>\n Clegg will choose the next chief.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had about 11 candidates total. We actually only had three individuals that made the interview oral review board that was really due to folks just meeting our minimum qualifications for having the management experience,\u201d said Clegg.<\/p>\n According to Clegg, nine of the 11 chief candidates were from outside Kern County.<\/p>\n In the many community input sessions, many flouted the importance of the chief being local. \u201cI\u2019ll admit that I undervalued how meaningful those conversations would actually be. It was very helpful for me to hear from the community, I think not just, you know, the ideas that were shared, but more having actually the shared sentiment is what was really helpful,\u201d Clegg said.<\/p>\n The two candidates now face a sit-down interview with Clegg set to begin in a few weeks.<\/p>\n BPD Chief Greg Terry discusses search of new police chief, BPD\u2019s 2026 goals, officer-involved shootings <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBut there is something that does feel good about having more clarity and thinking about what the next chapter is,\u201d said Clegg.<\/p>\n Clegg said the city will host one final community listening session<\/a>. It is scheduled to be held virtually at 6 p.m. Feb. 4.<\/p>\n Clegg said he hopes to have selected the new chief by the end of the month.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n
Clegg explained how important those sessions have become for input.<\/p>\n