Chief Tolber recognized by Police Executive Research Forum

Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber was recognized with the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award at the Police Executive Research Forum’s annual meeting, held in Los Angeles Thursday, April 16.

The award is presented annually to mid-career police officials who have demonstrated leadership and innovation. It is named after PERF’s first executive director.

“She has been an amazing advocate for women in policing,” said Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills, who nominated Chief Tolber for the award. “But far beyond that, she’s also been one of the original founders of [the American Society of] Evidence-Based Policing and has written multiple articles, has spoken numerous times around the country about evidence-based policing and how to lead forward, and that was all before she was chief.”

“I just want to say thank you to my community and my team, because without their trust and support, we wouldn’t be able to do the great work we’re doing,” Chief Tolber said when receiving the award. “To all of you who’ve gone before, those who are going through it with us now, thank you for making policing better, because ultimately that’s what we’re here to do. And at the end of the day, it’s not about titles. It’s about the trust that we’re building and the difference that we make in people’s lives.”

Appointed Chief of Police in 2023, Chief Tolber leads the Redlands Police Department with a strong commitment to public safety and community partnerships. She began her law enforcement career with the department as an intern in 1997 and was sworn in as a police officer in 1998. In recent years, her leadership has emphasized strategic recruitment, organizational wellness, the integration of innovative technology, and the development of a new police facility.

Chief Tolber possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Redlands, and she holds a master’s degree in criminology, law, and society from the University of California, Irvine. She also earned a master’s degree in applied criminology from the University of Cambridge and is a graduate of the California POST Command College.

With extensive experience collaborating with local, state, federal, and international partners, Chief Tolber is committed to advancing the profession through data-driven research, evidence-based policing, and mentorship. Her research interests include reentry, restorative justice, technology and women in policing.

Chief Tolber serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Research Advisory Committee and a Uniform Crime Reporting Subcommittee under the FBI CJIS Advisory Board. Additionally, she is a Fellow of the Future Policing Institute; a founding and Emeritus board member of the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing, and an alumna of the National Institute of Justice’s LEADS Scholar program.

An active community leader, Chief Tolber has served on multiple local boards supporting crime prevention, violence intervention and youth outreach. She is also a Redlands Sunrise Rotarian and continues to mentor both men and women in the policing profession.

The Police Executive Research Forum is an independent research organization that focuses on critical issues in policing. Since its founding in 1976, PERF has identified best practices on fundamental issues such as reducing police use of force; developing community policing and problem-oriented policing; using technologies to deliver police services to the community; and evaluating crime reduction strategies.

PERF strives to advance professionalism in policing and to improve the delivery of police services through the exercise of strong national leadership; public debate of police and criminal justice issues; and research and policy development.