Redding Police Chief Brian Barner announces September retirement

Redding Police Chief Brian Barner is retiring. 

The announcement was made yesterday in a press release from the city. Barner has been the chief of police for about three years and began serving the police department in 1992. He said in a letter to the city announcing his retirement that he joined the department when he was 15 years old as a police explorer. 

“I thank the citizens of Redding for your trust, support, and collaboration over my career with the Redding Police Department,” Barner said in the release. “It has been an absolute privilege to serve you, protect you, and work hand in hand with you to make Redding a safer and stronger community.” 

Barner led a department of more than 180 employees, “maintaining operational readiness while advancing efforts to strengthen community relationships and organizational accountability,” the press release noted. Before being appointed chief, he served in a variety of operational and leadership roles. 

Barner’s retirement is effective Sept. 19. In his letter to the city, he said he’s been working with new City Manager William Tarbox for the past several weeks to plan for his retirement and replacement. The city said it has hired employment agency Bob Murray & Associates to recruit a new police chief and will begin the hiring process as soon as possible. 

“I do not have the words to express how grateful and blessed I am to have had the opportunity over the past 34 years to work for the Redding Police Department and serve the great community of Redding,” Barner said. “My career would not have been possible without the great men and women, past and present, that I have had the honor and privilege to work beside.”

In his letter to the city, Barner also thanked his family, saying that although he wore the badge, his family “bore the burden” of his service. He said he’ll be celebrating his 25th anniversary with his wife later this year, and after his retirement, he’s looking forward to this next chapter of their life. 

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