Police matters

During its meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 21), the Chico City Council honored the career of Deputy Police Chief Dave Britt (pictured), who is set to retire next week after 26 years with the Chico Police Department. Lt. Rob Merrifield’s retirement in December left Britt as the longest-tenured member of the department.

In other news, the council voted 6-1, with Councilman Karl Ory dissenting, to approve the purchase of the California Highway Patrol facility on Fir Street for $984,500. The building will be used to expand operations of the Chico Police Department located next door.

The city had allocated $700,000 for the purchase in its 2014-15 budget for capital improvements. To complete the purchase, the council approved transfers of $155,465 from the city’s Police Protection Building and Equipment Fund and $108,035 from the police department’s operating budget for fiscal year 2016-17.