Honoring Chief Bisa French
For Distinguished Service and Enduring Contributions
to the Richmond Community
WHEREAS, Chief Bisa French has honorably served the City of Richmond for more than twenty-seven years, demonstrating exceptional dedication, integrity, and courage as she rose through every rank—from Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain to Assistant Chief, Interim Chief, and ultimately becoming the first female Chief of Police in the department’s 113-year history; and
WHEREAS, throughout her exemplary career, Chief French has upheld fairness and accountability by championing racial equity, procedural justice, and genuine community engagement, while serving in roles from Patrol and Community Policing to Property Crimes and Fami ly Services —
where she deepened her passion for protecting youth and strengthening family safety; and
WHEREAS, Chief French is a founding partner of the West County Family Justice Center and spent nearly two years helping bring this critically important resource to life before its opening in 2011 at the Richmond Hilltop Police Substation; and WHEREAS, her leadership continued long after the Center’s opening, serving as the inaugural Chair of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center Board and working collaboratively with STAND! For Families Free of Violence, Community Violence Solutions, Contra Costa County officials, and numerous community- based partners to establish a multi-agency safety net for survivors of abuse; and WHEREAS, as Chief, she continued to expand and strengthen the Family Justice partnership—ensuring Richmond police officers were exemplary collaborators who connected victims to services, embraced training on emerging issues, and implemented innovative approaches to victim support; and
WHEREAS, Chief French also helped found the Richmond Task Force to End Gender - Based Violence, uniting community organizations, advocates, survivors, and county partners to develop solutions and lead a comprehensive effort to prevent and end gender -based violence in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, Chief French has been a steadfast advocate for human dignity and the sanctity of life, including a training module for new and continuing officers shaped by the officer - involved shooting of Pedie Perez—featuring a video of Pedie’s mother speaking about her loss—to emphasize the value of every life, the lifelong impact of violence on families, and the critical importance of restraint and accountability; and
WHEREAS, Chief French is a member of the “Guardians of Justice,” the historic group of Black Richmond police officers who confronted racism and corruption, and her leadership has carried forward their legacy of courage, reform, and moral clarity; and
WHEREAS, she has represented the City of Richmond and the policing profession with distinction at the regional and national levels, including service on the Community Policing Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and on the boards of the Contra Costa County Youth Services Bureau and the Richmond Police Activities League; and
WHEREAS, Chief French’s academic accomplishments—including a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, and completion of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP)—have informed her thoughtful, strategic, and people-centered approach to leadership; and
WHEREAS, a proud Richmond resident, devoted spouse, and mother of three, Chief French has remained deeply rooted in the well -being of the community she serves, dedicating her career to building a safer, more just, and more compassionate Richmond for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Richmond City Council on December 16, 2025, does hereby honor, Chief Bisa French for her extraordinary achievements, trailblazing leadership, and profound contributions to public safety, community well-being, and justice in the City of Richmond, and hereby presents her with the Key to the City in recognition of her exemplary legacy; and with this key, we honor a woman who has unlocked possibilities for women of color in law enforcement and has opened doors for generations to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City extends its deepest gratitude to Chief Bisa French for her decades of exemplary service and lasting legacy, and wishes her continued success and fulfillment in all future endeavors.
_____________________ ______________________ _____________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana Councilmember Jamelia Brown City of Richmond District 4 District 1
_____________________ ______________________ _____________________ Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda Councilmember Doria Robinson Councilmember Sue Wilson District 2 District 3 District 5
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Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
District 6