WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — What had been rumored for more than a month is now official: new West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James intends to replace Police Chief Sarah Mooney with former Fort Lauderdale top cop, Frank Adderley.
In a Facetime interview with former Mayor Jeri Muoio, who was out of town, she said removing Mooney is a mistake.
She endorsed James for mayor during the election.
“I believe Sarah Mooney is one of the best police chiefs in the country. She is revered by the community; the rank and file respect her. She does an amazing job. To move her out of that I think is not a very smart idea,” she said.
“One of the things that’s disappointing is that he promised us all he wouldn’t change the police chief. I know the (Police Benevolent Association) asked him that question when they gave him their endorsement. Now he’s taking this action, so it’s very disappointing.”
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Mayor James said that he and Frank Adderley share the same vision on cleaning up the north end of the city and reducing violent crime.
“It’s a few blocks. If we can’t clean that up, then what are we doing here from a public safety standpoint? I’ve had that conversation with Chief Adderley. He gets it,” James said.
This still needs approval by the five-person city commission. Two of the commissioners indicated that while Adderley might be the best candidate, after all, they support a national search for a chief to ensure transparency.
When James was a commissioner, he was the lone dissenting vote to confirm Mooney as chief because he wanted a national search.
It is on the agenda for the June 3 commission meeting.