December 16, 2025
Mayor's Office
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Councilmember Soheila Bana (co-sponsor)
Councilmember Jamelia Brown (co-sponsor)
Subject:
Proclamation Honoring Chief Bisa French for Her
Distinguished Service and Enduring Contributions to the Richmond Community
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact on receiving this item.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Proclamation and Key to the City that honors Chief Bisa French for her trailblazing leadership towards justice and equity, profound contributions to public safety, and
unwavering dedication to community safety and well-
being in the City of Richmond.
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.
Recognizing her service and steady leadership during
periods of societal challenges and transition, while
maintaining her long-standing commitment to fairness,
accountability, youth advocacy, and community
AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
partnerships. Chief French’s career reflects an
unwavering dedication to Richmond—its residents, its
families, and its future.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION and PRESENTATION of a key to the
City that honors Chief Bisa French for her trailblazing leadership towards justice and equity, profound
contributions to public safety, and unwavering dedication to community safety and well-being in the City of
Richmond. Her long-standing commitment to fairness,
accountability, youth advocacy, and community
partnerships reflects her unwavering dedication to
Richmond—its residents, its families, and its future -
Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-621-1302)/
Councilmembers Soheila Bana (510-672-3490)/Jamelia
Brown (510-620-6910).
DISCUSSION:
Chief Bisa French began her distinguished career with the Richmond Police Department (RPD) in 1998, first as a Police Officer Trainee, then graduating from the Napa Police Academy. That same year, she was promoted to the rank of Police Officer and quickly established herself as a compassionate and highly capable professional. In her early years, she served in assignments including Patrol, Community Policing (CPOP), Neighborhood Services, and later as a Detective in both the Property Crimes Unit and Family Services Unit. It was during this time that Chief French discovered her deep passion for advocating for young people and strengthening community trust.
In January 2006, she was promoted to Sergeant, where she led, mentored, and developed officers across a number of supervisory roles, including assignments in Administrative Services, Family Services in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and Patrol. She also served as the Department’s Public Information Officer, representing the agency with professionalism and transparency.
Chief French was promoted to Lieutenant in February 2011. In this role, she served as Watch Commander, Chief of Staff, and Public Information Officer. During this period, she worked collaboratively with Contra Costa County, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, Community Violence Solutions, and other partners to establish the Family Justice Center in West Contra Costa County—an achievement that continues to positively impact survivors of violence and their families.
December 16, 2025
In 2013, she was promoted to Captain, becoming the first African American and Latina Captain in the Richmond Police Department—and the youngest person in RPD history to hold that rank. As Captain, she commanded the Youth Services Division and served as the Northern District Commander, where she oversaw critical operations and community engagement initiatives.
In 2016, Chief French was promoted to Assistant Chief, assuming executive responsibility for the department's overall operational and administrative functions. In this capacity, she championed programs and initiatives focused on racial equity, procedural justice, and meaningful community engagement.
Chief French was appointed Interim Chief in 2019 and was formally sworn in as Chief of Police on July 1, 2020—becoming the first female Chief in the department’s 113-year history. As Chief, she has provided steady leadership during periods of societal challenges and transition, while maintaining her long-standing commitment to fairness, accountability, youth advocacy, and community partnerships.
Chief French holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, both from Golden Gate University. She is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP).
She serves on the Community Policing Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). She further contributes her time as a board member for the Contra Costa County Youth Services Bureau and the Richmond Police Activities League.
Now with over 27 years of service, Chief French’s career reflects an unwavering dedication to Richmond—its residents, its families, and its future. A proud Bay Area native and Richmond resident, she and her husband are raising three children and remain deeply invested in the well-being of the community she serves.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation