New police chief sworn in

Chris Dewey was sworn in as Ukiah's police chief this week, replacing the retiring John Williams.

Dewey, a 17-year veteran who was elevated from the rank of captain, will oversee a $4.8 million annual budget and a 36-person department.

"He's a real leader," said Candace Horsley, Ukiah's city manager. "He just makes everybody feel at ease."

Horsley said Dewey will focus on plans to consolidate emergency dispatch services for various local agencies.

Before joining the department in Ukiah, Dewey worked in Redwood City and for Mendocino County.

Horsley did not look outside the department for Williams' replacement.

"If we hadn't received a good pool, we would have gone outside but we didn't need to because it was a good pool," she said.

Williams spent three decades on the Ukiah police force before his retirement.