Palm Bay honors outgoing Chief Mario Ajello as new chief is sworn in
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Summary
At a change-of-command ceremony in Palm Bay, the Palm Bay Police Department honored outgoing Chief Mario Ajello and swore in a new chief, who pledged fairness, transparency and continued engagement with the community; the event concluded with the outgoing chief's final off-duty radio call.
The Palm Bay Police Department held a change-of-command ceremony in Palm Bay that honored outgoing Chief Mario Ajello and introduced the department's incoming chief.
Mario Ajello, identified at the ceremony as the department's outgoing chief, was thanked by speakers for 26 years of service. A ceremony host opened the event "on behalf of the Palm Bay Police Department and the City of Palm Bay," calling the gathering the department's first change-of-command ceremony.
A longtime colleague addressed the incoming leader directly, praising his journey "from a young police explorer to the leader, the husband, the father you are today" and saying, "Brother, you are ready." The incoming chief, referred to in remarks as Jeff and sworn in during the event, pledged a focus on public trust and departmental integrity: "We will continue to serve this community with fairness, transparency, and respect. We will listen, we will engage, and we will work every day to earn and maintain the public's trust." The incoming chief called it "the greatest honor to serve as the next chief of police for the Palm Bay Police Department." (The ceremonial transcript contained one instance of the variant "Palm Beach Police Department," which the department and event context identify as Palm Bay.)
Organizers moved a portion of the ceremony to the parking lot for a customary final off-duty radio call by Ajello. During that moment the outgoing chief made a brief radio call reading "139" and offered thanks to politicians and colleagues for "protecting my family, protecting our city, serving with courage, dedication, and commitment." A family member present concluded the public remarks with a personal send-off: "Now is the time to get your mind right. Love you, dad."
The ceremony was presented as a ceremonial handoff of leadership rather than a policy event; no formal votes, motions or administrative directives were recorded in the remarks provided at the ceremony. Attendees heard commitments from the incoming chief about transparency and engagement, and Ajello's departure was marked by traditional acknowledgments and the final radio call.
The department did not provide a date or additional procedural documents in the transcript; attendees were asked to continue outside for the closing portion of the ceremony.
