[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 194 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING LANCASTER CITY POLICE CHIEF RICHARD MENDEZ ON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD SMUCKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2025

  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and congratulate 
Chief Richard Mendez on his retirement as Chief of the Lancaster City 
Bureau of Police Chief, and I thank him for his 25 years of dedicated 
service to the Lancaster community.
  A native of the City of Lancaster and a graduate of McCaskey High 
School, Chief Mendez joined his hometown police department in 2000. 
Over the course of his distinguished career, he served as a patrol 
officer, K-9 officer, member of the Selective Enforcement Unit, member 
of the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team, and platoon 
leader. Demonstrating an unparalleled work ethic, he rose through the 
ranks, and in 2021, was appointed Captain of Patrol, the largest 
division of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police.
  In July 2022, Chief Mendez was sworn in as Chief of Police, becoming 
the first Hispanic police chief in the bureau's history. During his 
tenure, the bureau achieved accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs 
of Police Association and implemented significant improvements to its 
recruitment process. Chief Mendez helped to advance community-focused 
initiatives such as the Police Social Worker Program, the Office of 
Community Engagement, and expanded bike patrols, all of which 
strengthened trust and collaboration between law enforcement and 
residents.
  Chief Mendez has devoted the past 25 years to keeping Lancaster safe. 
I am extremely grateful for the positive impact he has had on the 
community. I wish him the best in his well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________