Fort Myers Police Chief: Derrick Diggs accepts $140K contract
Derrick Diggs has agreed to a three-year, $140,000 contract to serve as the next Fort Myers Police Chief.
The City Council will meet Monday and discuss the terms of the contract, determine a start date and hold a vote. Diggs, a 37-year veteran with the Toledo Police Department in Ohio, was selected June 28 after a nationwide search. He is the first outsider to run the Fort Myers Police Department in 21 years, and the first minority to serve as chief since Larry Hart’s departure in 2001.
Diggs, 61, could not be reached for comment.
Fort Myers manager names Derrick Diggs as next police chief
Mayor Randy Henderson said he will review the contract more in depth over the weekend, but it looks solid on its face.
The contract spells out the agreement for Diggs to serve as police chief, including a requirement for additional training and successful completion of a Florida certification exam within the first 90 days. Diggs will also receive full reimbursement for moving expenses, as well as a $3,000 check for temporary housing during his relocation.
But the city will require Diggs to secure competitive quotes and select the lowest qualified bidder for moving expenses, and if Diggs leaves within his first year, he will be required to pay the $3,000 back.
Fort Myers council accepts Derrick Diggs as police chief
The city charter does not require the police chief to live within city limits, but Henderson hopes Diggs will consider it.
"The city has a lot of beautiful places to live," he said. "I hope he can find his way in city proper."
FMPD has had its share of challenges in the past few years, coming under fire for an inability to solve violent crime and a toxic culture that permeates through department leadership.
But Diggs told the City Council he will do what he can to turn things around.
"We’re going do something about the shootings, don’t worry about that," Diggs said June 30. "But I want to make sure I can work with the appointed leaders… clergy (and) citizen involvement groups … to work together to bring down crime.
"I’ve been in this business almost 40 years, I know what I’m doing."
Connect with this reporter on Twitter and Facebook. News-Press reporter Ben Brasch contributed.
Fort Myers City Council Meeting
When: Monday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers, 2200 Second St.
Why: Discussion of the Fort Myers Police Chief contract