PEARL, Miss. (WJTV) – A new police chief has been named for the City of Pearl.

Officials with the city said Nick McLendon, who started his career in 2004 as a reserve officer at the Pearl Police Department, will be sworn in at the March 5 meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

“I’m excited to have Chief McLendon at the Pearl Police Department,” said Pearl Mayor Jake Windham. “He has had a very impressive career during his years in law enforcement and I know that his success will continue in coming home to Pearl.”

McLendon currently serves as the police chief in Richland. He moved to the City of Richland to serve as a K9 and interdiction officer at the end of 2008, and he 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.

When Chief Russel James retired in February 2022, McLendon stepped into the spot and has led the Richland Police Department ever since. Now, he’s coming home to Pearl.

“It’s a great feeling to come back to the town where I began as a reserve officer,” McLendon said. “Being able to come full circle is an honor I’m really proud of and I’m excited to step into this new leadership role.”

McLendon succeeds former Chief Dean Scott, who resigned in January 2024. Scott was named the police chief for the city in 2018.