LANCASTER – Lancaster City Council is slated to vote this evening on the nomination of Acting Police Chief Randell Zook to serve as the city’s new police chief. Zook has 23 years of experience with the Lancaster City Police. He began his career as a community service aide before becoming a patrol officer. As a patrol officer, he served on the Collision Investigation Team and bike patrol. In 2010, Zook was assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division’s Special Investigations Unit, where he worked on cases involving crimes against children. He also worked closely with the FBI and served as a task force officer with the Violent Crimes Against Children Unit. Zook was promoted to Sergeant in 2018 and Detective Sergeant in 2019, serving in that role through 2021. He became a Detective Lieutenant in August 2021 and was promoted to Captain of Administrative Services in 2022. In 2025, he became Captain of Patrol. Following Chief Richard Mendez’s retirement in December 2025, Zook served as acting chief. If approved, Zook’s appointment would take effect Aug. 31.
ACTING POLICE CHIEF RANDELL ZOOK