After nearly 30 years as a police officer, and more than five years as Bakersfield's police chief, Bill Rector is stepping down this week. He says goals have been accomplished and is confident the department will continue to improve.

Bakersfield's new police chief is Captain Greg Williamson. City Manager Alan Tandy made the announcement Tuesday. Williamson will replace Bill Rector, who is retiring Friday after 27 years of service to the department.

The city of Bakersfield will have to start looking for someone to head its police department. Police Chief Bill Rector is retiring in January, and, on Thursday, he said the department is in good hands and that, "It's time to move on."

Police Chief Bill Rector plans to retire in January. Detective Mary DeGeare confirmed the chief's retirement plans Thursday. Rector, who turns 50 in January, has served as chief for more than five years.

A police officer and a teenaged robbery suspect were shot overnight at a convenience store in the southwest part of the city. Officer Isaac Aleman went to the back of the 7-Eleven at 4647 Wilson Road and encountered three suspects, one of whom shot Aleman.

A police officer entered a not guilty plea Thursday to charges of sexual battery. Officer Jeff Luff's attorney entered the plea on his client's behalf. Court records show police taped a phone call between the Luff and his accuser.

A witness in a sexual assault case denies Bakersfield police officer Jeffrey Luff did anything improper to her roommate. The witness says the charge of sexual assault against Luff is bogus. But police say investigation shows otherwise.

A Bakersfield police officer was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of inappropriately touching a woman. Police say Officer Jeffrey Luff was arrested on a warrant for misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor sexual battery.

The death of a local man was caused by injuries suffered during a confrontation with Bakersfield police, according to reports from the Kern County Coroner's office. Police say they have investigated, and the the incident will be reviewed by the...

Citing examples of community fear and reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement, a group of churches worked at finding a way to improve relations with Bakersfield police.

Two shootings within an hour of each other Thursday night left two people dead and three others injured. Victor Sterling, 17, and Terrance Haney Jr., 19, died from shootings on 8th and Lacey streets, respectively.

Bakersfield police officer Dennis Eddy will return to duty with a prosthetic limb, Chief Bill Rector announced Wednesday. Eddy was shot in his leg in February while attempting to arrest a suspected gang member.

Serious crime is down in Bakersfield, but it's a mixed bag with some categories seeing a higher rate. Police Chief Bill Rector says the 2.5-year trend is moving downward, and that has encouraged police that their efforts are working.

Family and friends come together to honor and remember fallen Kern County Sheriff's Deputy James Throne. Deputy Throne's peers called him a leader.