As Miami prepares to replace Police Chief Manuel Morales this fall, city leaders are laying the groundwork for a summer search while questions emerge about his possible political ambitions.
During their Feb. 12 meeting, city commissioners discussed the upcoming transition, with some advocating for an earlier start to ensure a smooth process and continuity of service while also raising questions about a possible political run by the police chief. The city manager confirmed a transition timeline, with the search for a new chief starting three months before Mr. Morales’ retirement, around July.
Commissioner Miguel Gabela opened the discussion by asking whether a succession plan was in place. “I do not want to get to October … and then all of a sudden we have to rush and find the chief,” he said. “If we start the search now, it gives us time to come up with the person we’re all comfortable with, and then if we have a problem down the line with that person, we have time to correct the situation.”
City Manager James Reyes confirmed the transition timeline, saying, “three months before October, we will start a transition where chief Morales will remain and make sure that we have continuity of service all the way through his retirement.”
Mr. Morales reflected on his tenure and the department’s accomplishments since his 2021 appointment. “This has been the honor of a lifetime to be the chief of Miami,” he said. “We have seen homicides drop by 43% since I took over in 2021, shootings down 42%, robberies 40%, sex offenses 25% and aggravated assaults 12%.” He also highlighted improved officer attendance, fewer complaints, reduced use of force and strong relations with the community and the police union.
Then, Commissioner Ralph Rosado raised allegations that Mr. Morales might be considering a political campaign after retirement. “I’ve heard from at least a dozen individuals … that you are going to be running for the District Four seat, which puts me in a really uncomfortable position because we’re paying you essentially half a million dollars a year to be campaigning on the job, is what it appears to me,” Mr. Rosado said.
He added, “We see your social media, we see the fact you’re having events in District One on the border of District Four without having consulted with the District One Commissioner.” Mr. Rosado said he was unsure he could trust Mr. Morales to remain fully focused on his duties, calling it “dishonest” to claim he was only being approached by the community while allegedly telling others he planned to run for office.
Mr. Morales responded, “I have been approached by members of the community that would love to see me continue my public service after I’m done in uniform, but that is so far off in the future. In this business of public safety, I work one day at a time, sir. I have absolutely no plans right now to pursue that any anytime soon.”
Mr. Gabela then spoke about events held in his district by Mr. Morales, stating he had not been notified as required by a December 2019 city resolution that directs the administration to consult district commissioners before scheduling department events. “There’s a problem if that’s going to happen without notification. I need assurances that the chief will remain solely in his role and not engage in campaigning in my district,” Mr. Gabela said, referencing a recent “Coffee with a Cop” event.
Chairwoman Christine King clarified that the event Mr. Gabela referenced was part of a longstanding citywide outreach program designed to connect officers with residents. Mr. Reyes added, “Coffee with the chief is a function that happens in this county, pretty much every week, by one of the 34 police departments … it is not a political event.”
“If someone feels our chief violated policy, I expect a formal complaint that we could investigate accordingly,” Mr. Reyes said. “Simple hearsay hurts our recruitment process … and if there is an iota of evidence that any of my directors or the chief are campaigning on duty, they will be terminated accordingly.”
Commissioner Rolando Escalona supported Mr. Gabela’s concerns about proper notification. He also suggested beginning the search for a new police chief six months before Mr. Morales’ retirement rather than three, to allow more time for a proper transition. Mr. Rosado proposed appointing an interim chief and starting the search immediately. Both motions failed, leaving the succession timeline under the city manager’s original plan.
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