FORT PIERCE — More than a hundred residents filled the River Walk Center Tuesday evening for a two-hour Meet & Greet with the three finalists seeking to become Fort Pierce’s next Chief of Police.
The event, hosted by the City of Fort Pierce, offered residents their first opportunity to hear directly from David M. Smith, Mirtha V. Ramos, and Vernon L. Hale III, each hoping to lead a department navigating growth, staffing challenges, and shifting community expectations.
The finalists, all from outside Florida, shared their professional backgrounds and answered questions on leadership, crime trends, and their vision for Fort Pierce. For many attendees, the evening confirmed both the strengths and complexities of choosing a chief from outside the region.
David Smith, an Army veteran and commander with the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia, emphasized community trust and visible policing. “Perception of police presence in the City is resident safety,” Smith told the audience, explaining his focus on data-driven deployment and neighborhood-based policing. Several residents said his structured, analytical approach stood out.
Mirtha Ramos, who began her career with Miami-Dade Police and later served as Chief of Police in Dekalb County, Georgia, spoke about change management and adapting to population growth. “This City must embrace growth rather than resent it,” she told attendees. “Fort Pierce doesn’t have a choice. Growth is already here.” Her comments resonated with some residents who believe Fort Pierce needs a chief experienced in high-density jurisdictions.
Vernon Hale III, former chief in Galveston, Texas, and assistant chief in Prince George’s County, Maryland, focused on culture and accountability. “My goal is to produce above-average officers,” he said. “More money does not fix problems.” Hale stressed leadership development and clear expectations as central to his philosophy.
While many residents praised the candidates’ credentials, others raised concerns about the absence of local finalists. “With outsiders, it’s always a gamble,” one resident said. “The risk is they use Fort Pierce as a stepping stone to a bigger agency or as a place to retire. The question is how much gas they have left in the tank.”
Another longtime resident echoed that sentiment: “Two of these finalists already applied to major agencies like Phoenix and Fort Worth. That’s a red flag. Why choose Fort Pierce next?”
Still, the room was far from one-sided. Several attendees welcomed the idea of an external hire. “Fresh eyes can make different decisions,” one resident said. “This department may benefit from someone not tied to the local politics.”
The City Commission will interview all finalists later this week before City Manager Richard Chess makes his final recommendation.