MIAMI \u2014 Chief Manny Morales announced Thursday that he plans to retire in October after 32 years with the Miami Police Department, including the last four as chief.<\/p>\n
\u201cThirty-two magnificent years doing something that I consider to be the honor of a lifetime to be serving my community as a police officer, the last four of them as the chief of police,\u201d He added. \u201cI am ready to enjoy all that comes with a peaceful retirement. When I reflect back on these 32 years, I really want to thank the men and women of the Miami Police Department.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morales also discussed what he described as a \u201chistoric drop\u201d in homicides, aggravated assaults and property crime during his tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an absolute honor to part of this organization in this beautiful city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Miami City Manager James Reyes told commissioners that Morales\u2019 replacement will be appointed three months before his retirement.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Miguel Gabela pressed Reyes on when a search for the next chief would begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs there going to be a search? We kind of left it vague on what we are actually doing and how it is going to be done,\u201d Gabela said.<\/p>\n
Reyes reiterated his earlier remarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will name a new police chief prior to the transition beginning three months prior to Chief Morales\u2019 retirement,\u201d he said. \u201cSo three months prior you will know who the successor and then we will start the transition in order to ensure continuity of service to the community.\u201d <\/p>\n
Local 10\u2018s Christina Vazquez asked Morales how appointing his successor 90 days before his departure would help with onboarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of moving pieces running the police department, you are running an agency of 1,500 sworn and another 400 professional staff,\u201d Morales said. \u201cWe are dealing with grants, we are dealing with payroll, FIFA, we have all kinds of events that are coming to the city. We are a world destination.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be working closely together who is selected. There are very good folks inside the police department that are able to take up that next step and rise up to the challenge,\u201d he added. \u201cBut whomever it might be, we will make sure we have a conversation to make sure we can share what has worked, what hasn\u2019t worke and, ultimately, they will find their way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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