Orland chief to retain post

Paula Carr headed back to her duties as chief of the Orland Police Department this week, following a drawn-out investigation into the alleged misappropriation of department funds.

Her future with the department has been uncertain since May, when she was placed on administrative leave. The veteran lawwoman has admitted she used poor judgment when she temporarily borrowed money from a department fundraiser held during the Glenn County Fair that was meant to benefit a K-9 program.

Carr (pictured), who could not leave the fair because she was operating a raffle booth by herself, borrowed $1,300 from the funds to have a friend bid on a horse during an auction taking place simultaneously. She replaced the money the next day.

Orland’s top cop now has the job of healing her small department. In a Willows Journal story, Sean Johnson, president of the Orland Police Officers Association, implied that there are officers who don’t support her return.