Hollister will have a new interim police chief later this week when Capt. Carlos Reynoso takes on the role and current Interim Police Chief David Westrick moves back into the captain spot.
Reynoso and Westrick are set to swap roles when they return following the New Year’s holiday. Westrick has been interim chief since former Chief Jeff Miller retired in April after eight and a half years on the job.
City Manager Clint Quilter had planned to rotate the police department’s two captains in the role for about six months each, while Westrick spent more than eight months in the position. Quilter could not be reached immediately to comment on the switch.
“I don’t know,” said Councilman Robert Scattini. “They never came before the city council for that. He (Quilter) just told us what he was going to do.”
In recent weeks, city officials have talked about posting the appropriate employment notices in order to fill the role permanently. The city also will be recruiting for a fire chief, as Chief Fred Cheshire announced he will retire at the end of April.
Westrick on Monday said he “probably will” pursue the permanent chief position. He said the interim job was a “great experience.”
“I think it was a nice opportunity for me and I appreciate it,” he said.
