After more than five years leading the Hollister Police
Department, Chief Bill Pierpoint has announced his resignation as
the city’s top cop.
After more than five years leading the Hollister Police Department, Chief Bill Pierpoint has announced his resignation as the city’s top cop.
“I have enjoyed my employment with Hollister and I am thankful for the opportunity the city has given me to shape the police department during this past five years,” Pierpoint said.
Pierpoint, who was hired in late 1997, will officially retire July 1.
He said the three-month notice will give city officials time to hire a new chief and make for an orderly transition.
Contrary to rumors alleging that pressure from groups outside the department and growing dissension within the ranks of officers forced him out, Pierpoint said he had been thinking about retiring for some time.
“Last November marked the completion of 43 years of government service, including my 20 years in the U.S. Army,” he said. “I feel that now is the time for me to move on with the rest of my life.”
Although Pierpoint did not say what his immediate plans were, he seemed to relish the idea of retirement.
“I am looking forward to my retirement and wish the City of Hollister the best of luck with its continued endeavors to provide its residents and visitors a healthy and safe community,” Pierpoint said.
Interim City Manager Ed Kreins said because of the three-month notice, City Council will have time to conduct an extensive search for a new police chief.
“The city should start an immediate recruitment. It’s important that the city start right away,” Kreins said.
He suggested Council consider conducting an open recruitment to receive the largest number of candidates to choose from.
“I’ll make a proposal to the City Council at the April 7 meeting,” Kreins said.
Several Council members, upon learning of Pierpoint’s resignation, thanked the chief for his years of service.
“Chief Pierpoint has obviously had a very long and successful career, and I’m happy for him that he can now have more time to enjoy all of the hard work he has put in to serving the community,” Councilman Tony Bruscia said. “I wish him a wonderful retirement.”
Bruscia said he appreciated Pierpoint’s efforts to upgrade the department’s technological capabilities and finding ways to expand the department’s ability to serve the public without taking funding from other programs.
“He did a really great job in finding grant dollars to be able to improve what he could,” Bruscia said. “I think he worked hard to find some creative solutions at the police department.”
While many officials said they appreciated Pierpoint’s efforts at improving the department, several said they would also miss the person, as well as the professional.
“I’m going to miss him personally,” Mayor Brian Conroy said. “He’s a good guy and he did a lot for the department. I wish him the very best.”
Other officials said they appreciated Pierpoint’s attempts to form a bridge between police and the public.
“We appreciate his service with the city of Hollister,” Councilman Tony LoBue said. “We’ve heard a lot of good things about him from the public.”
