ORANGE

Andy Romero, a veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, is set to become the first permanent police chief in Orange since the controversial firing of John R. Robertson in March 1998. Romero, 55, will also be the first Latino chief in the city’s history. The City Council announced Tuesday that it will offer Romero a contract after taking a 4-1 vote. Romero became acting chief seven months ago, coming into a department fractured by Robertson’s firing. A divided City Council at the time said they had lost confidence in their chief, who they accused of insubordination during the recent trash embezzlement scandal. Romero’s contract is currently being negotiated and will be finalized after a background check, City Manager David L. Rudat said.