Lancaster City police chief Richard Mendez has announced plans to retire this December, marking the end of a 25-year career with the agency, the department announced Thursday morning .

Mendez, a lifelong resident of the city, was sworn in as Lancaster City’s first Hispanic chief in July 2022. He was interim chief following the resignation of former Chief John Bey .

Under Mendez’s leadership, the agency earned its first police accreditation, revamped recruitment, and is set to hire its largest officer class since 2003. In 2024, Lancaster saw its lowest homicide rate in over 40 years, with the bureau maintaining high case-closure rates and thorough investigations across the board.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the men and women of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police for their

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