After 27 years of protecting the streets of Richmond, Chief Bisa French has officially hung up her badge. Her final “End of Watch” ceremony last week marked the close of a historic career.
Chief French joined the force in 1998 and worked her way up from a beat officer to the very top. In 2020, she made history as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the Richmond Police Department. She is credited with lowering crime rates to historic lows and building stronger, more honest relationships between officers and the community.
As is tradition, the department broadcast a final message over the police radio to honor her retirement. The following is the transcript of that tribute:
It is a full-circle moment for her. Years ago, she helped help start the center’s West County branch. Now, she will lead the entire organization in its mission to support survivors of domestic violence, elder abuse, and human trafficking.
The Richmond Police Department is now under the leadership of Chief Timothy Simmons.
Simmons is a 17-year veteran of the department who, like French, rose through every rank from officer to assistant chief. As a local who is deeply rooted in the area, Simmons has promised to keep the focus on “community-centered” policing, the idea that the police and the residents must work as a team to keep the city safe.