REEDLEY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The Reedley Police Department has welcomed their new police chief who has 26 years at the department. The former police chief for the department, Joe Garza, retired from his position on Dec. 18. The department shared a post from the new police chief, Mark A. Ediger, to social media on Monday. In the post, Ediger introduces himself to community members and says that he has had 26 years in law enforcement with the Reedley Police Department. Ediger says throughout his career in Reedley, he has learned the foundation of an effective police officer lies in having good communication with the community and ensuring that the employees of the police department are safe. He says his priorities as chief are to include strengthening community engagement, reorganizing the Neighborhood Watch program, fostering open communication, and implementing innovative strategies to ensure public safety.