Redlands Chief of Police Christopher Catren, whose physical mobility has recently been limited as the result of a work-related back injury, has been temporarily replaced by Commander Rachel Tolber, who is to serve for the time being as interim police chief.
Tolber is to continue to serve in the role of interim police chief until such time as Catren’s disability retirement is fully processed through the California Public Employees Retirement System, and his successor as police chief is installed.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Redlands community for over 28 years including the past five years as chief of police,” Catren said Thursday through Redlands official spokesman Carl Baker. “The support I’ve received from past and current members of this department, city staff and the community has made this career fulfilling, fun and impactful. I am incredibly proud of the Redlands Police Department staff and their dedication to the residents and visitors of this city. I am confident the department will continue to grow and thrive while providing top-tier policing services.”“This comes far too soon for me,” Redlands City Manager Charles Duggan said. “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with Chris and having him be a vital part of our team. I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with him and admire all of the things he has done for Redlands during his very successful career. Chris has been an exceptional chief of police and I was looking forward to working with him for many more years.”
Catren was promoted to police chief on December 20, 2017, following the retirement of former Police Chief Mark Garcia.
He began his career in law enforcement with the Redlands Police Department in 1994 as the department’s first crime analyst.
According to Baker, Catren in that role learned the value of transforming data into information to further the department’s prevention, intervention and suppression activities.
In 1996, Catren became a sworn police officer and worked his way through the ranks to include assignments as an investigator, training officer, field supervisor, detective and sergeant. His supervisory positions included investigations, patrol, field training coordinator and reserve police officer coordinator.
In 2007, Catren was promoted to lieutenant and managed the investigative services bureau, the patrol services bureau and the special operations bureau while at that rank.
He was promoted to commander in 2013 and oversaw each of the department’s divisions before promoting to the position of chief of police.
Catren earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in public administration from California State University, San Bernardino. He graduated from the California Police Officers Standards and Training Command College in 2012.
Catren is a past president of the San Bernardino County Police Chiefs’ Association, a member of the League of California Cities Board of Directors and is current President of the California Police Chiefs Association.
Tolber, who has been with the department since 1998 and currently heads up the department’s special services bureau, steps over Deputy Chief Travis Martinez, who has been with the department since 1994.
Tolber has worked her way up the department’s assignment ladder, having worked patrol and as the department’s firearms proficiency trainer and armorer, field training officer, detective, patrol supervisor, investigations supervisor, crisis negotiator, and professional standards/internal affairs officer.
As what was the department’s then-highest ranking distaff member, Tolber was given the assignment of leading the Redlands Citizen Volunteer Park Rangers squad. She is credited with cofounding the Redlands Police and Corrections Team.
At one point, Tolber did an executive internship in the Redlands city manager’s office.
-M.G.