DA clears the air on O’Brien assignment

There seems to be some confusion on the extent of District Attorney Mike Ramsey’s interest (or lack thereof) in packing the Chico City Council. Recent letters to the editor have claimed that retired Chico Chief of Police Mike O’Brien “was appointed to the Chico City Council on July 27, 2021.” True.

“District Attorney Mike Ramsey asked him to run for this spot.” False. “And then offered him the position as the Commander of the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF).” False.

Fact — The position of Commander of BINTF is a part-time position, often filled by retired police chiefs such as O’Brien, who are paid out of the District Attorney’s budget per the BINTF MOU. The BINTF board of directors consists of the heads of the various Butte County law enforcement agencies who assign their officers to BINTF. The BINTF board last year (2020) agreed to assign O’Brien as Commander if the DA’s Office hired and paid him.

Fact — O’Brien applied for the position in February 2021 and was hired on April 28,

2021. (After a standard police background was completed.

Yes, even retired chiefs have to go through such a background.) Therefore, O’Brien was BINTF Commander months before there was even an opening on the Chico city council.

As much as I would like to be seen as a masterful behind-thescenes manipulator of Chico politics, I have neither the time nor the interest.

— Mike Ramsey, Oroville