Mayor James to ask commission to ratify Tony Araujo as West Palm Beach police chief

Mayor James announced that he will ask the West Palm Beach City Commission to ratify his appointment of interim Police Chief Tony Araujo as permanent chief, effective March 3, 2025. The mayor said the decision follows a months-long review of the department and Araujo’s work since his interim appointment in October.

The announcement came during a public meeting in which the mayor credited Araujo with “leadership, vision, and accountability” and described a series of operational changes the interim chief has led, including a top-to-bottom assessment, reorganization of command staff, and a shift to sector-based patrol deployment. "I'm confident that Chief Araujo is the right person to lead our police department into the future," Mayor James said, and added he would request the commission's ratification at that evening's meeting.

Araujo, who has served in law enforcement for more than four decades, told commissioners and the public that his command staff has been conducting a comprehensive analysis and that the department will focus on "timely, credible, value-driven professional service" and community-centered policing. He said his team engaged the Kalina Group, an outside assessment firm, to review department practices, staffing and needs, and is expanding leadership and training programs with the FBI and the National Law Enforcement Training Group.

City administration also told the meeting that the city initiated internal inquiries after learning of alleged financial improprieties; those matters were referred to the State Attorney's Office and remain under criminal investigation, the mayor said. The city confirmed that several high-level staff members are on administrative leave and that seven officers are not assigned to patrol while investigations continue. "Those decisions will be made by the state attorney," Araujo said when asked whether criminal charges were anticipated.

Commissioners and other meeting participants pressed for clarity on staffing and continuity of patrol coverage. Araujo said the department has maintained minimum patrol deployment levels despite gaps at the command level and that some command staff have been working extended hours to cover duties. He said the department is actively recruiting and that sector-based assignments will keep officers working consistently in the same neighborhoods to improve problem solving and community familiarity.

No formal commission vote to ratify Araujo was recorded in this session; the mayor said the consent vote is scheduled for the commission meeting on March 3, 2025. The mayor characterized the forthcoming vote as required by the city charter and said he hopes for a positive outcome but would not presume the commission's decision.

The exchange included community questions about policing in immigrant neighborhoods and whether local officers would assist federal immigration authorities; Araujo said local officers are not tasked with routine immigration enforcement but that the department would respond case by case if federal agencies requested assistance in emergencies. He also emphasized due process for personnel under investigation and said the city administration initiated the initial probe after receiving reports of potential wrongdoing.

If the commission ratifies the appointment as planned, city leaders said Araujo's approach will continue to emphasize restructured command leadership, outside assessment recommendations, and expanded training to address long-term departmental needs.