MIAMI — 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.
“Thirty-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,” He added. “I 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.”
Morales also discussed what he described as a “historic drop” in homicides, aggravated assaults and property crime during his tenure.
“It has been an absolute honor to part of this organization in this beautiful city,” he said.
Miami City Manager James Reyes told commissioners that Morales’ replacement will be appointed three months before his retirement.
Commissioner Miguel Gabela pressed Reyes on when a search for the next chief would begin.
“Is 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,” Gabela said.
Reyes reiterated his earlier remarks.
“We will name a new police chief prior to the transition beginning three months prior to Chief Morales’ retirement,” he said. “So 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.”
Local 10‘s Christina Vazquez asked Morales how appointing his successor 90 days before his departure would help with onboarding.
“There is a lot of moving pieces running the police department, you are running an agency of 1,500 sworn and another 400 professional staff,” Morales said. “We 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.”
“We 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,” he added. “But whomever it might be, we will make sure we have a conversation to make sure we can share what has worked, what hasn’t worke and, ultimately, they will find their way.”
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