Fort Pierce is gearing up for a pivotal moment in its law enforcement leadership, as the city unveiled the trio of candidates vying to become the new chief of police. Vernon L. Hale III, Mirtha V. Ramos, and David M. Smith rose to finalist status from an original shortlist of seven, as reported by TCPalm. Residents will be given a chance to interact with the candidates during a public meet-and-greet scheduled for December 2.
According to WPBF, the event, held at River Walk Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., is part of a sequence of engagement opportunities presented by the city. The Fort Pierce Police Officers Union, expressing disappointment in an earlier statement, beckoned the community to attend the Fort Pierce city commission meeting to voice their opinions on the selection process, especially since local officers Caleb Gillette and Eric Chan were now out of the running.
Details on the professional backgrounds of Hale, Ramos, and Smith have been released, offering a glimpse into the potential future leadership of the Fort Pierce Police Department. Hale has roots in Texas law enforcement, Ramos brings her experience from the DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia, and Smith offers his expertise from his time at Prince William County Police Department in Virginia.
After the public meet-and-greet, these candidates will proceed to second-round interviews on December 3, with the goal of securing the final endorsement from City Manager Richard Chess. “This event is an important opportunity for our community to engage directly with the candidates and share in the process of selecting our next chief of police,” Chess stated in a prior release provided by the city. A formal recommendation to the City Commission is slated for December 8. The search for a replacement began after former Chief Diane Hobley-Burney resigned amid controversy earlier this year, as noted by TCPalm.
