Dear Gary,
Friday, the 31st of October 2014, was my last day as the Chief Police Officer for the City of Oroville and all the responsibilities that go with the position, but more importantly I consider myself a citizen of the City of Oroville where I have been entrusted with the safety, well being and caretaking of the citizens of this generous little town. I leave this profession as both happy and apprehensive as to what lies ahead for Crish and I, as we make that turn to something new. I have been asked numerous times by friends and citizens “what are you going to do, your still so young” I have to admit I like the sound of that! my answer has not been very definite as I am not sure what I am going to do next, I do have a few ideas but nothing firm.
I have spent the last 35 years of my life in one uniform or another and owe both the military and the City of Oroville a great deal of thanks for trusting me to do the right thing, maybe not necessarily what the book says to do, but what was needed and what common sense dictated at the time.
I have heard concerns of citizens of what happens next at the department. They want the relationship that has been developed between the citizens of Oroville and their police department to continue. The relationship that started with former Police Chief Randy Wheat. The relationship is that; the officer should be part of the community and not on the outside just looking in. I have tried to continue to nurture this relationship throughout my 15 years as an employee here, and the comments that I have received lately have led me to believe that I have obtained a certain amount of success.
I can assure you that I am confident that Todd Hill, who has been employed here at the department for the past 11 years will do a great job of continuing on the values, and common sense attitudes, that have led the department for the past 10 years.
I want to thank the following people, for whom without we could not do our duty here at the department; the ladies next door of City Hall, the City Superintendent and his public works guys for what they do on any given day. I want to thank my clerk Brenda Rounds for her daily “can do” attitude and for having all the answers when I needed them the most, the patrolman of the police department as they deserve a lot of credit for the job they do at all hours of the night and early morning and during the weekends and holidays without complaint, and this includes their families who sacrifice so much to ensure that the city is patrolled and the citizens are taken care of. I want to thank Mayor Chuck Spieth for his support and trust. Lastly I want to thank my wife, family and friends for their support during the last 35 years of public service for without their sacrifice and worry, it would not have been possible to do it on my own.
Thanks again Oroville, I will see you around,
R. Clay Warnstaff
Oroville
