The Surfside Police Department has experienced yet another abrupt change in leadership as newly appointed Chief Wayne Holbrook tendered his resignation yesterday, a mere three weeks into his tenure; Holbrook was brought in with promises of stabilizing a department already shaken by the departure of his predecessor Chief Henry Doce, who resigned less than a year on the job. According to Local 10 News, Holbrook's departure is due to an "unhealthy work environment" and clashes with Mayor Charles Burkett, amid reports that he has been denied email access and entry to the police station.
This latest resignation points to ongoing administrative challenges in Surfside as Mayor Burkett faces tension and controversy with the local police force, his involvement in police activities has been captured on body camera videos, and one allegation has emerged of him pulling a woman over, according to Local 10 News, during a period where the community still reels from the harrowing memory of the Champlain Towers collapse, this managerial instability casts a protracted shadow over Surfside's efforts to rebuild trust and governance.
Further complicating matters, Surfside's town commission is grappling with the potential overhaul of its law enforcement as Mayor Burkett readies to propose that the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office take over the community's policing at the upcoming Tuesday meeting, an item assured to be contentious for a town already in a state of administrative flux. "I'm not sure why Holbrook resigned," Burkett told Local 10 News, in a statement that leaves more questions than it does answers.
The turnover at the top has not been limited to police leadership; Burkett's administration has seen a series of exits and growing community unease since his narrow victory over Shlomo Danzinger, Burkett declined to comment further when reached Thursday by Sandy Eller of VIN News which paints a picture of an administration at odds with some media outlets and portions of the community it serves, with the police department's future now resting on interim Chief Arley Flaherty, Surfside continues its search for steady leadership.
