BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Bakersfield Police Department will soon have a new leader at the helm.
Assistant Chief Brent Stratton has been selected as the city’s next chief of police following a months-long search. He is set to assume the role May 1.
Stratton, a Bakersfield native, said the appointment carries personal significance.
“It’s a tremendous honor. It means a lot to get the opportunity to serve the community I was born and raised in,” Stratton said.
His connection to the department began long before his career in law enforcement. Stratton said both of his parents worked for the Bakersfield Police Department, inspiring him from an early age to pursue policing.
“Growing up, a Bakersfield police officer was my first show-and-tell,” he said. “For multiple Halloweens, I was a Bakersfield police officer.”
Stratton will lead what city officials describe as the ninth-largest police department in California. His appointment follows a nationwide recruitment effort.
City Manager Christian Clegg said the city initially received 11 applicants, including nine from outside the department, before narrowing the process to two internal finalists.
“We entertained candidates that were from outside as well,” Clegg said. “But I think an important piece about this process demonstrated that we have very capable, very passionate folks who are from our own community, from our own department that want to do this work.”
Clegg added that some out-of-state candidates cited California’s high cost of living and political climate as factors in their decisions.
“Moving to California with the cost of living, and also frankly just a very different political environment — a different policy environment in California — was something some candidates mentioned,” he said.
As Stratton prepares to take over the department, he outlined several priorities, including reducing intimate partner violence, improving traffic safety and continuing efforts to curb gun violence.
“Intimate partner violence and bringing a reduction in those areas is something I’m interested in,” Stratton said. “I want to make sure that our roads are a little more safe. Gun violence reduction is something I’m interested in as well.”
City data shows that from 2021 to 2024, Bakersfield saw a 57% drop in homicides and a 60% decline in shootings after implementing a targeted violence reduction strategy.
Stratton said maintaining that progress while strengthening trust with the community will be a key focus.
“We’ve seen an increase in the proportion of our homicides being domestic violence-related,” he said. “So we’re interested in being able to study intimate partner violence and what we might be able to do to bring some of those reductions, partnering with other organizations within our community.”
Stratton also credited outgoing Chief Greg Terry for his leadership and influence.
“Chief Greg Terry is one of the highest-character men I’ve ever met in my life,” Stratton said. “Outside of my dad and maybe one other, he’s one of the most influential men in my life in shaping how I look at things.”
As he prepares to take office, Stratton said his goal is to continue reducing crime while strengthening relationships between police and the community.
“We want to make sure people in Bakersfield not only are safe, but feel safe,” he said.
Stratton will officially take over as chief on May 1.
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