Lauderhill commission debates making police chief a charter officer; residents urge keeping manager-led system

Lauderhill’s City Commission held a special meeting to discuss a proposed charter amendment that would make the police chief a charter officer reporting directly to the five elected commissioners, an idea put forward by Commissioner Saray Martin as a way to increase transparency and accountability in public safety.

Martin opened the discussion by reading a prepared statement and saying the proposal was meant to provoke a public conversation, not to impose a predetermined outcome. “This is not about the commission taking over the police department or inserting ourselves into the day to day operations,” Martin said, adding the goal was “a more transparent, data driven approach to public safety” with clear performance indicators and corrective actions when targets are missed.

City Manager Kenny Hobbs described steps his office has already taken, including hiring a consultant, conducting public forums and producing a quarterly manager’s report on police activities. Hobbs said the city contracted Dr. Cedric Alexander for an assessment and retained a national search firm to lead a police chief search. “We have an entire contract that spells out specifically what his responsibilities and roles are, not to exceed the $30,000,” Hobbs said of the consultant, and he told the commission the search firm’s fee was $24,000.

Police Chief Constance Stanley, who will retire in November, said the department has been making adjustments and engaging the community, and she opposed the idea of the chief reporting to multiple elected officials. “I am not in agreement with reporting to five bosses,” Stanley said, cautioning that multiple, potentially conflicting directions could harm operations and officers’ ability to respond.

The union president for FOP Lodge 161 warned the commission against fracturing the chain of command and questioned the fiscal benefit of a ballot measure. “To have 4 other sergeants and 4 other sergeants telling one officer different direction… it causes chaos,” the union representative said, urging caution about structural change.

Dr. Cedric Alexander, the consultant who is assessing the department, told the commission he will deliver a formal report after on‑the‑ground work and community meetings. “When you have a singular individual that your chief and your police department can report to and respond to, it certainly do make it easier to maintain a level of control and management,” Alexander said, recommending clarity of leadership and careful implementation of any reforms.

More than a dozen residents who spoke during a public comment period urged the commission to preserve the city‑manager form of government. Speakers suggested alternatives—community oversight boards, clearer KPIs, better data and internal promotion opportunities—rather than changing the charter. Tony Barrett, a former major crimes investigator, warned against experimenting with policing structures and urged the commission not to “mess with this police force.” Several commenters stressed deliverables and measurable outcomes from the consultant’s work rather than immediate charter changes.

Hobbs said the job posting for the next police chief will be finalized with the search firm and published before the end of the month, with an expected hiring window of up to 120 days. He reiterated that internal candidates may apply.

After hearing from staff, consultants and members of the public, the mayor said the commission lacked agreement and the item would not proceed at this time. No formal referral to the ballot or ordinance was advanced during the meeting.

The city will continue the consultant assessment, proceed with the national search for a new police chief and discuss measurable performance metrics in upcoming workshops and meetings. The public can expect updates as Dr. Alexander’s report and the search process progress.