WASCO, Calif. (KGET) — The Wasco City Council voted unanimously to approve the creation of a “start-up” police department at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
The City Council approved a team consisting of a police chief, a lieutenant and a records administrator.
It also approved nearly $600,000 in funding for those three positions along with capital and administrative expenses.
Mayor Gilberto Reyna has noted in the past that residents have complained that the sheriff’s department does not respond to their calls in a timely manner, or sometimes does not respond at all.
Currently, the city pays the sheriff’s department about $4.5 million a year for police services.
Initial costs are projected to be around $5 million. The city hopes to have its own police force in about a year.
