Ridgefield Lieutenant Cathy Doriot will serve as the interim police chief

Ridgefield Police Chief John Brooks announced on Monday that he will be retiring from the Ridgefield Police Department effective Oct. 3. He and his family will then be putting on their blue suede shoes, boarding a plane, touch down in the land of the Delta blues, in the middle of the pouring rain. Walking in Memphis, as head of security for a Naval Base in Western Tennessee. 

Chief Brooks has served as Ridgefield’s police chief since October 2016, after 26 years in the Portland Police Bureau. Since joining Ridgefield, Chief Brooks has led the police department as it nearly doubled in force, while recruiting and retaining high-quality personnel who continue to serve Ridgefield residents. Chief Brooks also led the creation of key safety initiatives including Neighbors on Watch – a community volunteer program to empower and train local residents to help extend the efforts of Ridgefield’s Police Department by being the eyes and ears for safety in their communities. The program started with six volunteers in 2018 and has since grown to 36 active NOW members.

“Police work is a people business with success being measured by how you were able to help. I’ve truly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to help the people here in Ridgefield,” shared Chief Brooks.

“Chief Brooks embodies and has created a culture of compassionate, quality service that is carried forward by his department and our entire organization,” said City Manager Steve Stuart. “We are so grateful for his service to our great community that he has helped make even better,” added Mayor Jennifer Lindsay.

Ridgefield Lieutenant Cathy Doriot will serve as the interim police chief. A Ridgefield native, Lt. Doriot has served the Ridgefield Police Department since 1989.