Mayor Jaime Arroyo has announced the appointment of Randell Zook as Lancaster City’s next Chief of Police, effective August 31, 2026. Chief Zook’s appointment was confirmed by City Council on August 25.
Randell Zook began his career with the Lancaster City Bureau of Police as a Community Service Aide in 2002, before becoming a sworn Officer in 2003. As a patrol officer, Zook served on the Collision Investigation Team and became bike certified, spending a considerable amount of time patrolling on bicycle. He later joined the Selective Enforcement Unit and obtained Pennsylvania State Police “A” Certification.
In 2010, Zook was assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU.) This assignment allowed him to build strong relationships with victims and their families, as well as with the Children and Youth Agency, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Child Advocacy Center. He also worked closely with the FBI and served as a Task Force Officer with the Violent Crimes Against Children Unit. His work in SIU led to numerous successful prosecutions, including the prosecution of Tara Brazzle, a cold-case homicide involving a newborn found deceased in a dumpster in 2007 that was solved through the help of genetic genealogy. In 2015, Zook received the Henry Kauffman Award for Outstanding Investigation.
Zook was promoted to Sergeant in 2018, and Lieutenant in 2021. In 2022 he was promoted to Captain, overseeing the Administrative Division. In this role, he managed the Bureau’s $29M annual budget; oversaw recruitment, training, and Bureau administration; and managed facility and fleet maintenance and improvements. Zook became Captain of the Patrol Division in 2024, where he coordinated patrol division operations, fostered community engagement work, and guided training and professional development for the Bureau’s patrol officers.
Mayor Jaime Arroyo named Zook Acting Chief in June 2026, before appointing him the permanent Chief in August 2026.
Prior to joining the Bureau, Zook worked in his family business, spent a year serving aboard a hospital ship in West Africa and Europe, and worked with the Boys and Girls Club. He resides in Willow Street with his wife of 30 years, Lori. They have four children.
