The North Miami Seashore Police Chief resigns abruptly

By Marlan McCarthy Last updated Nov 4, 2021

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Florida. North Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Rand has given up his retirement papers, effective next month, as the city’s mayor says Rand is being wrongly “micro-managed”.

Just last week, Rand stood in front of cameras to discuss a police-related shootout. Colleagues said goodbye on Thursday morning.

Rand – who has only been the boss since February but has been in the department for over 24 years – says he can’t do his job. Mayor Anthony DeFillipo agrees, saying he is concerned about the situation developing into a turbulent situation.

“I’m very concerned about what I’m hearing,” said DeFillipo, mayor of the city of about 42,000 people. “The police chief for whom I have the greatest respect.

“I believe it because I see it every day. I have a pulse in my ward and I have a pulse in my police force. He is micro-controlled every time he moves, and that’s not right. “

Residents of the North Miami Beach Jewish Community posted an email stating, “I urge everyone who reads this letter to urgently send the city manager a letter with copies to the mayor and all city commissioners calling on the city manager who refuse to accept Chief Richard Rand’s and give Chief Rand the opportunity to perform his duties for the good of the community and to give him a contract of employment he rightly deserves.

City Manager Arthur Sorey sent a statement to Local 10 News, saying:

“I was surprised by the chief’s early retirement. I respect his 25 years of service. I’m in shock and I’ll have conversations with him and see how we can move on. The upcoming announcement of the future leadership of the North Miami Beach Police Department will be made shortly. “

Local 10 News learned that Sorey has now met with Rand. A solution to the situation is not yet known.

Community activist Alan Sakowitz begged the city manager to keep the boss.

“If the city manager doesn’t tear up his retirement letter and give him full support in his work, then many officials are uncomfortable, not well trained, and the commissioners will not allow that,” said Sakowitz. “It’s a huge thing.”