Council bickered over salary topping out at $183,000.
Before becoming chief in Morro Bay, Christey served as a lieutenant with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management and a master’s in organizational leadership, and also served in the Army.
Christey has completed advanced and executive-level training with the state Peace Officer Standards and Training commission. She was among the 50-plus applicants who submitted resumes following a nationwide recruitment effort by Ralph Anderson and Associates, and seven finalists interviewed with a panel of local police chiefs, public officials and P.G. department heads, according to Livian. Three emerged from that group and were subsequently interviewed by city manager Ben Harvey, who selected Christey as his top choice.