Chris Kirk has shed the "interim" label and is stepping up as the permanent police chief of New Smyrna Beach, a promotion confirmed by City Manager Kevin Cowper during a recent city meeting. WFTV reported that the announcement was made during the April 8 city commissioners' meeting and was met with applause from those in attendance. Kirk, who has over two decades of experience on the force, expressed his gratitude for the support of the community and the department.
The promotion came without disclosure of the new chief's salary, raising questions among some, including Headline Surfer, which had previously requested this information through public records. Repeated attempts to obtain comments from both Kirk and Cowper have been met with silence so far. The publication highlighted the efforts made to reach out to the newly minted chief and the City Manager for clarification.
Kirk's journey to the top position follows the resignation of former Chief Eric Feldman in December, who left to join a private security firm. Kirk's appointment caps a nationwide search for Feldman's successor, marking him as the first home-grown police chief for New Smyrna Beach in at least 25 years, the City of New Smyrna Beach announcement stated. "I’m truly humbled to be our first home-grown chief of police in at least the quarter century," Kirk said, acknowledging his dedication to a "people-first approach to service."
