Porterville, CA – The City of Porterville has announced the appointment of Bobby Rader as Interim Chief of Police, effective November 16, 2025.
This interim appointment ensures continued leadership and operational stability within the Porterville Police Department while the current Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police are on authorized leave. In accordance with state and federal privacy laws, the City will not provide additional comment regarding individual personnel or medical matters.
City Manager Richard Tree stated, "Chief Rader is a respected law enforcement leader whose experience, professionalism, and dedication to community policing will help guide the department forward. His appointment provides strong, steady leadership for our officers and the residents we serve."
Chief Rader brings more than sixteen years of distinguished service throughout Tulare County, including leadership in patrol, investigations, emergency services, and specialized enforcement units. A graduate of the POST Command College, he is completing a master’s degree in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of San Diego.
As Interim Chief, Rader will oversee all police operations and advance the department’s focus on innovation, transparency, and collaboration. He is committed to strengthening partnerships between local and county public safety agencies, expanding technology-driven initiatives, and enhancing community engagement to promote trust and accountability.
"Porterville is my home," Chief Rader said. "It is an honor to serve this community and lead the men and women of this department. By working together with our community and regional partners, we can continue building a safer and stronger Porterville."
Porterville, lying along the foothills of the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountain range, is located on State Route 65, 165 miles north of Los Angeles. The city has a strategic central location to major markets and ready access to major transportation routes. Centrally located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Porterville is situated on the eastern edge of California's San Joaquin Valley, just 17 miles off State Route 99, a primary north-south transportation route. The city is approximately an hour from Fresno and Bakersfield and is a bustling city of over 62,000, serving as a trade center to over 100,000 people. Porterville serves as the gateway to the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, and is home to The Mighty 190, a local tourism collaboration that promotes countless outdoor adventures and natural amenities located along State Route 190 in southeastern Tulare County between Porterville and the Trail of 100 Giants. To learn more, please visit www.ci.porterville.ca.us or www.themighty190.com. Questions? Please contact yvelarde@ci.porterville.ca.us.