Latest local news briefs include the police department announcing a new assistant police chief position, Toys R Us closing its doors, and the Citrus Heights City Council voting to strip Councilman Bret Daniels of his committee assignments.
Citrus Heights PD to get new assistant police chief
During the June 28 council meeting, Police Chief Ron Lawrence announced the creation of a new executive position in the Citrus Heights Police Department. Lawrence said the decision came after Commander Daman Christensen announced his retirement last week, leading to a reconsideration of the department’s organizational structure. Beginning next week, Lawrence said Commander Gina Anderson will be promoted to assistant police chief, a position that did not previously exist in the department.
With the retirement and promotion, Lawrence said the department will have two vacant commander positions, for which internal recruitment will be made from among the department’s existing lieutenants by August 19. He said Sgt. Kristopher Frey will also be promoted to lieutenant, and Detective Deborah Bayer will be promoted to sergeant. Lawrence said the department will “remain within his authorized budget,” noting that the number of total staff will remain the same and one vacant lieutenant position will be eliminated as part of the changes.
Citrus Heights council votes to strip Daniels of committee assignments
Following a vote to censure Councilman Bret Daniels in June, Citrus Heights council members voted on Thursday to also remove him from two regional committees he formerly held positions on. Mayor Steve Miller initiated the move, stating during the June 28 meeting: “I had hoped for a sincere apology and that it wouldn’t happen again. Not hearing that and following this meeting, further statements were made that I felt were inappropriate and disrespectful to the council and the victim, as if Mr. Daniels was the victim. These comments go against protocols we’ve established in our city council handbook in April of 2007. In particular, expected ethical behavior and how to conduct yourself while acting in the capacity of a council member, especially when you disagree with a decision of a council majority. So therefore I’m taking the extraordinary step of relieving Mr. Daniels of all committee and board assignments.”
The council voted to appoint Councilman Al Fox to replace Daniels on the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District board of directors, and also appointed Councilman Jeff Slowey to replace Daniels as an alternate member of the Sacramento Transit Authority. The motions passed 4-0, with Daniels abstaining on the votes. Although not commenting during Thursday’s meeting, Daniels previously called the council’s move to censure him “without merit.”
Citrus Heights PD celebrates 12 years since inception in 2006
June 26 marked the 12th anniversary of the Citrus Heights Police Department’s first day on patrol in the city. In commemoration of the date, police tweeted photos from the 2006 ribbon cutting, along with the statement “12 years ago today, our agency started patrolling the streets of Citrus Heights. Thank you for your support and partnership throughout these years!” (See tweet)
More briefly:
Toys R Us. Doors closed forever at Toys R Us on Friday. A sign on the front entrance indicated discounts were increased to 99% off during the final hours.
