MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami Beach Police Chief Dan Oates has announced his retirement from law enforcement after leading the agency for five years.
Oates took to Twitter on Friday to post his letter of resignation to Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales.
In the letter, he wrote, “It finally feels right to end my 38-year career in law enforcement.”
In the letter below I delivered to the City Manager this morning, I announced my plans to retire in June after nearly 39 years in law enforcement. It’s been a great run, and it’s been an honor to serve the City of Miami Beach. pic.twitter.com/Iko9iK1RTi
— Daniel J. Oates (@DanielJohnOates) April 5, 2019
Oates was appointed the department’s 19th chief on June 2014. He will officially step down in mid-June, at the end of his five-year contract.
In his letter, Oates said, “It finally feels right to end my 38-year career in law enforcement.”
Oates began his career at the New York Police Department and then headed to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Before coming to Miami Beach, he was the chief of police in Aurora, Colorado for nine years.
Former President Barack Obama praised Oates for his leadership after a mass shooting inside an Aurora movie theater in 2012.
During his time on Washington Avenue, Oates introduced new crime-fighting tools to the force, including license plate readers and body cameras on every officer in the street.
“He did a great job for us. I mean, five years ago, this department had serious problems — ethics, integrity, professionalism — and he’s turned it around,” said Morales.
But his time in South Florida has not been without criticism. His handling of spring break crowds and crime in the city’s entertainment district remains a sore spot for some residents who have called for change.
“Our crime group would like to see 365 days a year, zero tolerance on lawlessness, and there needs to be change at the top,” said John Deutzman with the Miami Beach Prevention and Awareness Group.
In his letter, Oates said he always planned to retire from this department, adding, “It has been an absolute honor to serve with the extraordinary men and women of MBPD. They give so much every day to keep this city safe. They are super heroes.”
“I think he did an exemplary job as the chief of police,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, “By any metrics, whether it’s crime rate, whether it’s professionalism in the department, he performed very ably. It’s pretty clear Chief Oates had a very good tenure for the City of Miami Beach. He came as a highly regarded professional law enforcement personnel, and he’s leaving in the same way.”
“He’s been a phenomenal chief for the last five years,” said Morales. “He’s become a good friend. He’s done a lot of great things to turn this department around. I’m happy for him. He’s got almost 39 years in law enforcement. He has a right to retire and move on and do other things if he wants.”
City officials have just over two months to find a replacement for Oates.
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