Oroville Chief of Police removed from position immediately

Oroville City Council voted to remove the Chief of Police of duty immediately, the city attorney said during a special meeting.

Breaking news.

The city of oroville is looking for a new police chief tonight after the city council decided to fire joe deal.

Action news now reporter carmela karcher was in oroville tonight where she spoke to the mayor about the sudden decision.

Carmela karcher: "today, city council decided to r0elieve police chief joe deal effective immediately."

"by action of the council in closed session, a motion was made by mayor reynolds and seconded by vice mayor thompson to relieve the chief of police of duty effective immediately."

For about a year and a half&joe deal has served as oroville's police chief.

But as of 5:45pm today&deal is no longer an employee for the city of oroville.

I spoke with mayor chuck reynolds after the meeting about this decision and he said they wanted to "go another way."

Chuck reynolds/mayor of oroville: "we wish chief deal all the best of luck in his future endeavors, but the city is going to go another way for public safety director."

The votes were five yeses&one no and one abstention.

The yeses included council members riggs& pittman&smith& vice mayor thompson and mayor reynolds himself.

For now&the city will fly the position and interview applicants for public safety director.

But as for why they let him go?

Chuck reynolds: "it was without cause.

We just decided to go another way."

Carmela karcher: "mayor reynolds also told me that previous chief of police and city administrator bill lagrone has already taken over the position in the meantime.

In oroville carmela karcher action news now coverage you can count on."

We reached out to joe deal tonight for his reaction but did not hear back.

You can you watch the city council's announcement on its decision online.

We have a link at action news now