FORT PIERCE – Three law enforcement applicants from Texas, Georgia and Virginia are advancing in the search for a new Fort Pierce Police Chief who is scheduled to be chosen Dec. 8.

Three local candidates, who were among the seven semifinalists interviewed by City Manager Richard Chess last week, have been eliminated from contention, according to a press release issued Friday by Chess’ office.

That has prompted local controversy, with calls for community members to challenge Chess’ announcement during public comments at Monday night’s Fort Pierce City Commission meeting. The commission meeting comes a day before an informal, public event with the three finalists Tuesday night.

Now named as finalists are Vernon L. Hale III, of Aubrey, TX; Mirtha V. Ramos, of Decatur, GA; and David M. Smith, of Dumfries, VA. Each has 24 years or more of law enforcement experience, according to the city.

Three police unions representing local officers and supervisors had called for Caleb Gillette, Fort Pierce Police Department’s (FPPD) current acting deputy chief and a 21-year employee of the department, to be elevated to chief.

“The rank and file are disappointed in the decision,” said Brian Macnaught, speaking on behalf of the officers’ union. “One of our complaints to the commission and mayor before the chief selection process was that we need to promote from within. Based on the surveys sent to police department employees, Caleb Gillette’s name kept coming up as who would best represent the agency and community.

“Based on the many responses on Facebook, the public feels the same.”

FPPD Major Eric Chan and St. Lucie County Deputy Sheriff Milo Thornton were the other two local applicants who did not advance.

Hale, Ramos and Smith are expected to participate in a “Meet and Greet” event Tuesday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Dr. The public has been encouraged to attend to meet and talk informally with the police chief finalists.

Chess is scheduled to have a second round of private interviews with the trio on Wednesday, before bringing his hiring recommendation to the city commission at its 9 a.m. day session Dec. 8.

A city statement detailing the backgrounds of the three finalists said this:

–Vernon L. Hale III brings three decades of law enforcement experience. He is a doctoral candidate at the University of Phoenix and holds a master of science in criminal justice from the University of North Texas. Hale previously served as chief of police for the Galveston Police Department in Texas and as assistant chief of police for the Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland.

“Mirtha V. Ramos has 28 years of law enforcement experience. She earned a master of professional studies in psychology of leadership from Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Lynn University. Ramos served as division chief with the Miami-Dade Police Department and later as chief of police for the DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia.

“David M. Smith brings 24 years of experience in law enforcement and holds advanced degrees in executive leadership and criminal justice education. Smith previously served as commander of the personnel bureau for the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia and currently serves as commander of Eastern District operations.”

Fort Pierce’s last police chief, Diane Hobley-Burney, resigned under pressure in May after department employees issued a statement of “lost confidence” in her leadership after her 10-year stint here.

Robert Ridle, a deputy chief who was named interim chief after Hobley-Burney’s departure, did not apply for the position, saying he plans to retire from the department in 2026.

Critics of Chess’ latest recruitment decision have posted online that recent Fort Pierce chiefs have not been promoted from local ranks, urging the public to email and phone Chess and city commission members to share their thoughts. They also are urging the public to attend Monday night’s city commission meeting that begins at 5:05 p.m. at Fort Pierce City Hall.

Naming the three finalists has set off a flurry of online public comments.

“I’m genuinely struggling to understand this decision,” one poster wrote. “Of seven (semi-finalists), we had two qualified candidates who know our community well and have deep roots here—yet they’ve been eliminated from consideration. Instead, we’re left with finalists who have no familiarity with our City or experience working with this department.

“Pardon my candor, but the choice feels like a complete disregard for the people of our city. This is a serious misstep, and our community deserves better. Let me assure you, this will further deteriorate the department’s morale.”

But another poster opined, “Hire someone who has no local ties and you will get better results. It’s time to break up the good ole boy club.”

Then there was this take online, “Dissolve the police force, absorb the worthy officers into the sherrifs (sic) dept. or state police.”