WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The man who may eventually become the next police chief of West Palm Beach was formally introduced to the public on Thursday afternoon.
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"I think this city is a good fit for me," said Frank Adderley at a news conference.
Mayor Keith James announced this week he's nominating Adderley to lead the city's police department. Current Police Chief Sarah Mooney is being reassigned to a new position as Chief of Police for Emergency Management.
"He has the ability to address homelessness and reduce crime, particularly violent crimes and homicides," said Mayor James on Thursday. "He's experienced in community policing and developing nurturing relationships."
Adderley said on Thursday he wants to get out in the community and focus on homelessness and cutting violent crime, especially the city's dozens of unsolved homicides.
"When you meet the people that actually live here and understand what they're looking for in their police agency, and this overall goal of keeping our city safe, you learn all the variables that they believe need to happen in order to keep us a very safe city," said Adderley.
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Adderley served as Fort Lauderdale’s chief of police from 2008 to 2016, and has spent almost 40 years in law enforcement.
Adderley also worked at the Broward Sheriff's Office but was dismissed in January when the new BSO chief was hired, according to the Sun Sentinel. The paper said Adderley, who was part of then-suspended Sheriff Scott Israel’s command staff, oversaw community outreach and the civil division, as well as courthouse operations and the 911 communications system.
Adderley said Thursday he believes on holding officers accountable if they break laws or violate department policies.
"I'm not gonna stand and allow people to commit crimes, whether you're a sworn officer or not," said Adderley. "If there are corrective measures that need to be taken, we are gonna take them."
The West Palm Beach City Commission still has to approve Adderley as the city's new police chief, as well as Chief Mooney's reassignment, at a June 3 meeting.
