*Updated to add Chief Lonnie Scott’s resignation letter, memos from City Manager Cynthia Curry and a quote from Mayor Harvey Ward.
GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The City of Gainesville is searching for a new police chief.
The city says Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Chief Lonnie Scott submitted his resignation on Monday instead of being fired.
In his resignation letter, Scott says he was informed by City Manager Cynthia W. Curry on Friday, Feb. 23, of her intent to terminate his employment and given the option to resign instead. He requested and was granted the weekend to consider his options.
The letter says Scott is unclear why Curry wanted to fire him but recognizes that as an at-will employee it’s her decision.
Curry says the past year has been marked by challenges related to issues around internal and external communication, employee morale and staffing shortages within the department.
“I do not hold Chief Scott solely responsible,” said Curry. “These challenges are not unique to GPD. However, my level of confidence in his ability at this point in time is not sufficient to allow him to continue in this role. The evolution and growth of this agency, which is critical to the safety of our community, requires change in the form of fresh perspective and new leadership.”
Curry acknowledged Scott for “hard work, dedication and passion” in his role as head of the department.
Scott has worked for GPD nearly 40 years and was appointed chief on July 25, 2022. He immediately faced controversy regarding the department’s K-9 unit following a July 10 incident in which a suspect lost an eye.
In the resignation letter, the chief spotlights his contributions to the department and the community. He points to a gun violence initiative that focuses on gangs and young adults, collaboration with other agencies to address violent crime and improved internal communication within the department through listening sessions and other measures.
On Monday, Curry sent a memo to Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and the City Commission alerting them she had accepted Chief Scott’s resignation effective March 29, 2024. “I have decided it is time to move the Gainesville Police Department in a different direction,” said Curry in the memo. She became the Gainesville city manager in November 2021.
“Chief Scott has been – and continues to be – a valuable member of our team. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward.
The mayor says the chief position works for the city manager, and he supports Curry and her decision. He says he looks forward to new direction and vision at GPD.
“We have an excellent, nationally accredited department that does terrific work for our neighbors, and I expect that will continue to be the case. I will do everything in my power to continue to support our women and men at GPD, and all our city workers,” said Ward.
On Monday, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) posted a message from Curry on its Facebook page.
“The Gainesville Police Department is changing to new leadership,” the post says.
The message indicates Asst. Chief Nelson Moya has been appointed interim chief. He has been in the assistant chief position since July 2023. The post says this is to “ensure continuity of operations while the agency moves forward.”
“I have complete confidence in the ability of our GPD officers and staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability during this transition,” said Curry in the post.
Curry says a national search will be conducted for a permanent replacement.
It does not appear the job is actually posted yet. We checked the career pages of the city of Gainesville and the police department’s websites and as of publication time, found no postings for the chief’s position.