Former Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. announces to the media March 22 that he will temporarily step down as police chief of the Sanford Police Department.
Commissioners are expected to approve his separation agreement during a special meeting at city hall at 4 p.m. today. Under the separation agreement, Chief Lee’s resignation will be effective at midnight tonight.
Lee temporarily stepped down March 22 following public outcry over the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by neighborhood watch member George Zimmerman. His temporary step-down also came a day after two commissioners and Mayor Jeff Triplett made a vote of “no confidence” in Lee.
Shortly afterward, Bonaparte appointed Capt. Darren Scott, a 23-year veteran with the department, to serve as acting police chief. Scott will continue in that roll as the search for a new interim chief takes place.
“I am confident that Acting Chief Scott will continue to provide the leadership necessary to keep this agency functioning at the highest level and protect the citizens of the City of Sanford,” said Bonaparte.
Bonaparte is working with consultants from the Police Executive Research Firm to search for a new interim police chief from outside of Sanford. The firm is expected to provide qualified candidates for the position by the end of the month.
Bonaparte said, “The City has experienced great turmoil in the past two months and we are hoping to stabilize the department and continue with this time of healing.”
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