The City of Redding mourns the passing of retired Chief of Police Robert P. Blankenship. Chief Blankenship was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and served the City of Redding from 1972 to 2002, having been promoted to Chief in 1988. Chief Blankenship served on the State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission as well as President of the California Police Chiefs Association. The year Chief Blankenship retired, he joined the Board of Directors of The McConnell Foundation where he most recently served as Chairman. Chief Blankenship was instrumental in developing statewide policies for law enforcement response to domestic violence incidents, and the Redding Police facility located adjacent to City Hall is named after him.
“Chief Blankenship was a good man and an admirable public servant to the City of Redding. He had a big heart and cared deeply for our community. We mourn his passing and send our condolences to his family,” says Mayor Adam McElvain.
City Manager Barry Tippin reacted to the news by saying, “We will forever be grateful for the work Chief Blankenship did as our Police Chief. Under his leadership our City saw the start of the Neighborhood Policing Unit (NPU). He will be greatly missed.”
Chief Blankenship is survived by his wife, daughters, sister and grandchildren.
