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New Interim Police Chief for Sanford

Sanford Interim Police Chief Richard Myers
Sanford Interim Police Chief Richard Myers

Sanford has appointed an interim police chief to step in while an inquiry is carried out into the police department's handling of the Trayvon Martin case. Richard Myers, a 35-year veteran of law enforcement, will start work on Friday.

Myers was the former chief of police in Colorado Springs. He also led police departments in Wisconsin, Detroit and Chicago.

In a statement announcing Myers' appointment, City manager Norton Bonaparte thanked the acting chief, Captain Darren Scott for his leadership in what he called "these tumultuous times."

Sanford police chief Bill Lee stepped aside temporarily in March after an outcry over the investigation into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The shooter, George Zimmerman claimed he acted in self defense when he shot the unarmed teenager, and he was not arrested until a month and a half later, after the case was turned over the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Zimmerman is currently on bail facing a second degree murder charge.

Last week the city commissioners rejected Lee’s official resignation. He will remain on paid leave until an investigation’s completed into the police handling of the case.

 

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