It’s down to just two veteran law enforcement professionals in the search for Key Biscayne’s next chief of police, Village Manager Steve Williamson said late Tuesday.
The two finalists are Thomas “Pat” Hanlon, an Assistant Director of Miami-Dade County’s police department and Frank Sousa, Fort Lauderdale’s interim police chief. Both men rose up from the ranks inside their departments, with a variety of law enforcement roles. In interviews, both men said they valued community policing.
Hanlon has worked for Miami-Dade Police for 38 years, and oversees a staff of more than 2,400 people. Among his more recent high-profile assignments was being the incident commander for the Surfside Building collapse. In interviews, both men said they valued community policing. He said he is familiar with Key Biscayne’s marine and causeway issues, often interacting with the Key Biscayne Police Department.
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Frank Sousa, who’s worked 22 years in Fort Lauderdale, says he is also familiar with the needs of coastal communities because of his oversight of marine patrol operations, emergency management, and event planning. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. He said the KBPD is known as a progressive agency, and that he would intend to build on that.
The manager said he hopes to make a decision soon. “A couple of weeks and some screening,” he said, adding that there will be some additional interviews and more detailed background checks.
And what are the key qualities that will help him decide? Williamson offered this when asked what his principles were for the final choice:
“Leadership, Key Biscyane fit, officer development, use of data and technology, able to address disorder before it becomes crime through presence, proactive policing and community involvement. Relationships with supporting law enforcement agencies and most importantly, able and desire to engage with the community.”
Under the Village Charter, the manager makes decisions about hiring department heads. There were 28 applicants for the position, which was advertised at a salary range of $150,000 to $180,000
Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.