After disputes over who to hire as Miami Beach police chief, the city is expected to offer the position to deputy Ray Martinez, The Miami Herald reported.
Martinez, who took over as interim police chief in November, said that he enjoys working in the city, although he told the Herald that he had not yet been offered the job.
“People go to the stadium and the arena for the games, but then their destination is South Beach,” Martinez was quoted as saying. “Everyone wants to come to our city. I think Miami Beach is a very exciting place to work. It’s a nonstop kind of place.”
Opponents of Martinez’s hiring argue he was in charge when officers were reprimanded for misconduct, but his supporters say that his experience will help him better solve problems.
Martinez’s predecessor, Carlos Noriega, retired after several scandals on his watch.
Gus Sanchez, the vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, disagrees with Martinez’s hiring and said Martinez “has been part of the problem for 10 years,” according to the newspaper.
Martinez, who is 53, worked for the city of Miami for 21 years and has worked for Miami Beach for 11 years. He said he has already initiated change in the community.
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“We are going back to basics and street policing,’’ Martinez was quoted as saying. “We’re already seen some changes with residents telling us that they’re getting to know their neighborhood officer.”
Other contenders for the position included Hialeah Chief Mark Overton, who said he had not heard anything yet, and Bal Harbor Police Chief Tommy Hunker, who said he was not offered the job.
