MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A new chief of police was sworn in to serve the City of Miami Beach.
Chief Wayne Jones became the city’s 21st chief of police, Thursday. He was sworn in at a ceremony held at the New World Center.
Jones has been with the department since 1996 and has held every rank from patrol officer to deputy chief.
He is also Miami Beach’s first Black police chief.
Jones said his goal is to make sure Miami Beach remains a safe city.
“I’m excited I am eager to get started, and I’d like to tell our residents that. ‘Hey, you’re lucky to live here.’ This is one of the safest cities in the country, but here’s what we’re gonna do: we’re gonna make it even safer,” he said. “I’ll tell you one of the first things were going to do is make sure we have more presence in the street. More residents will feel safe who live here. It’s unfortunate some people who live here don’t feel safe; we’re going to change that.”
Jones replaced ongoing chief, Richard Clements, who retired after more than 33 years with the department.
The police department currently has more than 400 sworn members.
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