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Oroville swears in three officers; council approves DA investigative contract and temporary office rental
Summary
The council recognized three newly sworn members of the Oroville Police Department and approved a one‑year contract with the Butte County District Attorney's Office for investigative support not to exceed $300,000 annually. Council also authorized short‑term leased office space to relieve the department's overcrowding.
The OROVILLE CITY COUNCIL on Tuesday recognized the swearing‑in of three officers to the Oroville Police Department and approved two measures the police chief said will help clear investigative backlogs and relieve office overcrowding.
Chief (identified in the record as Chief Wine/Wines) introduced three officers and presided over their oath: Officer Tyler Main(e) (sworn in as an officer after graduating the municipal law enforcement program), Detective Investigator Mary Barker (a transfer from the Butte County Sheriffʼs Office with experience in child‑abuse investigations and digital forensics) and Lieutenant Travis Johnson (background in traffic and investigative duties). Each officer took the oath in the council chamber.
Council then considered a contract with the Butte County District Attorneyʼs Office for investigative services to assist with a backlog of cases. Police staff reported the department had been working through a backlog that remained after COVID‑era disruptions; Detective Barker has reduced many cases but supplemental DA investigative resources remain necessary. The council authorized the DA contract at an amount not to exceed $300,000 annually. Councilmembers said they expect the contract to be transitional and that the department aims to reduce reliance on outside investigative support as staffing and case clearance improve. The measure passed on council vote.
The council also authorized temporary leased office space in the South Feather area to provide interview space, a dedicated soft room for child interviews and room for investigators and patrol staff to use while the department works toward a longer‑term facilities solution. Chief Wines said current station offices are overcrowded and the leased space will provide immediate relief and a place for investigative interviews.
Votes: Council approved the contract with the Butte County District Attorneyʼs Office (motion passed; roll call recorded as passed 6 yes with 1 absent) and authorized the office rental (motion passed 6–0 with 1 absent). No changes to department structure were made at the meeting; staff said both items are intended as interim measures while internal staffing and facilities solutions are pursued.
