Miami's New Top Cop To Take Oath Of Office Tuesday
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami's new top cop, Manuel Orosa, will be sworn into office on Tuesday but it'll be more of a ceremonial affair.
Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez made his pick to replace fired chief Miguel Exposito on Thursday, a day earlier than expected.
Orosa, 54, was sworn in by City Clerk Priscilla Thompson in her office on the very same day.
The larger swearing in ceremony will take place Tuesday, December 20th at 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium of the Miami Police College, located at 350 NW 2nd Avenue.
The oath of office will be administered by Judge Ana Maria Pando.
Orosa, a 31-year veteran of the Miami Police Department, took the reins of the department temporarily upon Exposito's departure, and was part of a nationwide search for Exposito's permanent replacement.
Orosa made the list of ten candidates considered by Martinez and others on a selection board, and was in a list of 5 finalists presented to Martinez this week.
Under the Miami City Charter, the city manager has sole responsibility for naming the Chief of Police.
Despite the national search, started before Exposito's firing because the former chief was set to retire in January, the in-house selection of Orosa was not a surprise to City Hall insiders.
Orosa has had a varied career with the Miami Police Department. As commander of Criminal Investigations Section, he played a significant role in major cases including, police shootings, serial rapist, serial robberies and in the successful resolution of the murder of a police officer. He worked on a program for Miami TV about homicide detectives, and played a role in major events such as the Free Trade Areas of the Americas Conference and the Hemisphere Police Chief's Conference.
His caretaker role as acting chief has won him some praise for handling problems left by the disruption of Exposito's firing, and budget cuts forced on the department by the city.
Orosa will now lead a divided force that as of last month is under federal investigation for a series of deadly police involved shootings but has been cooperating with federal authorities.
As the new Miami Police Chief, he plans to have more man power on the streets to curb crime in troubled neighborhoods. Plans are in the works to hire 54 new officers.
"More officers in uniform out on the street and less tactical. You still need both but we don't need such a large amount of tactical officers out there," said Orosa. In the midst of a troubling time for the department, Orosa hopes his new leadership style will bring them back in line. "Basically it's just treating everyone fairly and making sure you are consistent about it. That was part of the problem that some administrations run into. You play favorites and people resent it and factions are created," said Orosa.
