Nick McLendon was sworn in as the Police Chief in Pearl at last night’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

McLendon was joined by his family as he took his oath of office with his hand on a Bible held by Mayor Jake Windham.

Most recently serving as the police chief at Richland, McLendon has held several assignments throughout his career at Pearl and Richland police departments. He began his career at Pearl as a reserve officer. He went full time and worked patrol and SWAT, then moving up to K9 and Criminal Interdiction in 2008.

McClendon moved to the city of Richland to serve as a K9 and Interdiction officer at the end of 2008, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012.

In 2016, McLendon became Captain over the Richland Flex Division, supervising traffic, narcotics, and interdiction in addition to being the asset, vest grant, and equitable sharing manager. He was promoted to chief in 2022.

McLendon’s first full day at Pearl is Wednesday.