Opa-locka names interim chief after surprise resignation of Scott Israel
MIAMI -- As Opa-locka Police Chief Scott Israel announced his resignation, officials named an interim chief to the department.
Captain Kenneth Ottley will serve as interim chief starting July 1: Israel's last day.
"We wish you well in your next chapter," Ottley told Israel during Friday's press conference.
At this time, the department is conducting a national search for a new chief.
This was a warm send-off for Israel, who said it was the right time for him to leave. CBS News Miami's Jacqueline Quynh asked Israel what he had to say to those who may be disappointed at the decision, saying that he spoke with his colleagues and he's doing what he wants to do for his family.
"This is a happy occasion for me and my family," Israel said. "Bittersweet, of course."
He told reporters that there was no pressure at this time and that his resignation was met with complete support, saying that he believes every person who sits on the commission wants "what's best for the city. "I'm going to spend time with my family, do the things I choose to do. I think the family deserves that," Israel told CBS News Miami's Ted Scouten.
At Friday's press conference, Israel thanked the city and community for his time in the position.
"It was an honor to serve," he said. "More of an honor than I could have ever anticipated."
Israel said the department faced new challenges each and every day, and that they have taken it "in the right direction" under his leadership.
"We don't racial profile. We ride around with the windows down. We follow rules and regulations," he said.
Israel added that the department had a great team made up of excellent law enforcement officers, saying that the city is in "good hands." He also said what made his role so important was that he served as an ambassador to the city.
"It was a wonderful, wonderful thing," Israel said.
Israel has been Opa-locka's police chief for 13 months. Under his leadership, Opa-locka saw a 30% drop in the city's crime rate, interim City Manager Darvin Williams said. "ZThe city of Opa-locka is experiencing it's lowest crime rate in over a decade, that's also to the leadership of Chief Israel," Williams said.
Ottley, who has been with the department since July 2022, reassured the community that officers will keep Opa-locka safe as the department continues its search for a new chief.
"Your police department has your back. We'll be here 100%," he said. "We're planning and moving forward on making our streets safer than they ever were before."
Prior to taking the job with Opa-locka, Israel was fired as Broward sheriff by Governor Ron DeSantis after being suspended following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
Less than a month ago, in an exclusive interview with cbs news Miami's Chelsea Jones, Israel said he was looking forward to building on his success in his second year. While he's calling it quits in Opa-locka, he leaves the door open for a new chapter.
"If God presents opportunities down the road I'll certainly look at them on a case by case basis and see what happens. Right now I have no plans beyond that," Israel said.