FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 Seven top-tier law enforcement professionals are vying to become Fort Pierce’s next Chief of Police. <\/p>\n
The City of Fort Pierce announced on Thursday a shortlist of law enforcement professionals who will advance to the next stage in the selection process<\/a> for the city\u2019s next Chief of Police. The announcement follows a nationwide recruitment effort that drew 57 applicants.<\/p>\n After a rigorous evaluation process, the City said the following candidates have been selected for interviews:<\/p>\n Eric Chan \u2013 Police Major, Investigative Services Bureau, Fort Pierce Police Department, FLMichael Dieppa \u2013 Chief of Police, Chamblee Police Department, GACaleb Gillette \u2013 Bureau Commander: Acting Deputy Chief, Fort Pierce Police Department, FLVernon Hale \u2013 Former Assistant Chief of Police, Prince George\u2019s County Police Department, MDMirtha Ramos \u2013 Chief of Police, DeKalb County Police Department, GADavid Smith \u2013 Commander, Eastern District Operations, Prince William County Police Department, VAMilo Thornton \u2013 Deputy Chief, Corrections & Judicial Services Bureau, St. Lucie County Sheriff\u2019s Office, FL<\/p>\n The selection process comes in the wake of Chief Hobley-Burney’s resignation in May<\/a>, which followed a turbulent period marked by internal conflict, low morale, and a scathing internal report<\/a>. In her resignation letter, Hobley-Burney cited a breakdown of trust and division within the department, stating that recent comments from city commissioners had made it \u201cchallenging to lead.\u201d <\/p>\n Her departure was accepted by a 3-2 vote from the City Commission, and she was placed on paid administrative leave for 90 days. The resignation followed a union-led survey revealing deep frustrations among officers, including concerns over low pay, lack of support, and high turnover. Public comments during the commission meeting reflected a divided community\u2014some praised Hobley-Burney\u2019s efforts to reduce crime and unify neighborhoods, while others described a culture of fear and intimidation within the department.<\/p>\n See also: Why St. Lucie County residents pay the highest property taxes in Florida<\/a><\/p>\n City officials anticipate that first- and second-round interviews will take place over the next two to three weeks, with a final decision expected within five weeks. City Manager Richard Chess emphasized the importance of the selection process.<\/p>\n “The City of Fort Pierce is dedicated to selecting a leader who reflects our community\u2019s values, supports our officers, and continues to build trust through collaboration and innovation. We are pleased with the high caliber of candidates and look forward to the next phase of this important process,” said Chess.<\/p>\n The search has been guided by the city\u2019s commitment to transparency, integrity, and community engagement. The incoming Chief of Police will be tasked with advancing the department\u2019s mission to reduce crime and enhance quality of life through strong partnerships with residents, according to the news release. <\/p>\n Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter<\/a> to get the day’s top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel <\/a>for the biggest stories and can’t miss video.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"FORT PIERCE, Fla. 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