Richmond Police Chief Timothy Simmons (left) is presented by Lt. Donald Patchin (right) at a swearing-in ceremony held on Thur., Jan. 29, 2026, at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. Credit: Joel Umanzor/Richmondside
On Thur., Jan. 29 2026, the city swore in Timothy Simmons as its 21st Richmond Police Department chief.
Simmons, 48, who has worked in the department for 17 years, was joined at his swearing-in ceremony at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium by his family and dozens of men and women in blue. He was promoted from being assistant police chief to succeed Bisa French, who retired last fall.
Simmons follows in some historic footsteps as he officially assumes the role.
The department, which will mark its 117th year of service this May, according to city records, has had a police chief since J.P. Arnold was sworn into office on July 6, 1909, though police first began protecting its citizens in the early 1900s.
Richmond’s Police Chief Timothy Simmons, who likes to be called “Tim” informally, hugs his wife, Leticia Lopez, at his swearing-in ceremony on Thur., Jan. 29, 2026. His adult children were there to support him as well. Credit: Joel Umanzor/RichmondsideJ.P. Arnold (center, at front) became Richmond’s first police chief in 1909. Courtesy city of RichmondA crowd of men and women in blue and other supporters of Richmond’s new police chief gathered at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium for the swearing in of Richmond Police Department Chief Timothy Simmons. Credit: Joel Umanzor/Richmondside
“When you have family and roots here, you want people to police the community and guard the community because you know your own family is there.” — Chief Timothy Simmons, photo courtesy of city
Blue and gold were the color theme of Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony for Richmond’s new police chief. Credit: Joel Umanzor/Richmondside
Richmondside Editor-in-Chief Kari Hulac contributed to this report.
What I cover: I report on what happens in local government, including attending City Council meetings, analyzing the issues that are debated, shedding light on the elected officials who represent Richmond residents, and examining how legislation that is passed will impact Richmonders.
My background: I joined Richmondside in May 2024 as a reporter covering city government and public safety. Before that I was a breaking-news and general-assignment reporter for The San Francisco Standard, The Houston Chronicle and The San Francisco Chronicle. I grew up in Richmond and live locally.
