Miami Beach Police Chief Ray Martinez announces resignation

Martinez to step down April 4

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach Police Chief Ray Martinez announced Thursday that he will resign next month.

Martinez informed city manager Jimmy Morales of his intent to resign effective April 4.

"It's the right time for the city," Martinez told Local 10's Michael Putney. "It's the right time for the department. It's the right time for me personally to step aside and allow the manager and the mayor to select new leadership for the organization."

The announcement comes just months after Mayor Phillip Levine took office. Levine made it clear he wanted his own leadership team. Apparently, Martinez didn't make the cut.

"Miami Beach, as we know, is a world-class city and we deserve a world-class chief," Levine said. "Part of the mandate of this administration -- our litmus test -- is we want the best."

In a statement, Levine said he is grateful for Martinez's 12-and-a-half years of service to the Miami Beach Police Department and wishes him "the very best in his future endeavors."

Morales will be tasked with hiring the new police chief.

"We are indebted to Chief Martinez for his 12-and-a-half years of dedicated law enforcement service," Morales said in a statement. "He epitomizes the phrase 'an officer and a gentleman' and I have personally enjoyed working with him during this past year."