Miami Beach Swears In New Police Chief, Deputy Chief

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The city of Miami Beach swore in a new police chief Monday for the first time since 2013 as career officer Rick Clements, who was shot in the line of duty, takes over as chief for this urban resort island. Clements follows the now former Chief Daniel Oates.

"For about 10 more minutes, I am the chief of the Miami Beach Police Department," Oates quipped wearing a civilian suit and red tie. Oates presided over the swearing-in-ceremony as his final act as chief. See also Miami Beach Picks Highly Respected Officer As New Police Chief

Clements, a 29-year-veteran of the department, was the clear frontrunner for the job since Oates announced his retirement in April. Clements served as deputy chief before being selected for the top job.

"We have, I think, the finest police department in the nation. Sorry to all of the other chiefs in the room. Thank you for coming," joked Miami Beach Dan Gelber, who swore in the new deputy chief but gave the honor of swearing in Clements to the new chief's father, a retired sergeant from the department.

Wayne A. Jones was sworn in as the new deputy chief to follow Clements in that role. Jones has served in the department since 1996.

Gelber said it was the strength of the department's talent pool that gave city officials the confidence to promote its two top leaders from within.

Clements obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in political science from the University of Utah and also graduated from the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. He received the Miami Beach Police Department’s Medal of Valor and Outstanding Service Award as well as a number of other awards and honors.

"It was a good search and it was the right search," said the mayor, who also praised the families of Clements and Jones for providing support and guidance over the years.

Jones has experience in patrol and special operations, community affairs, internal affairs and criminal investigations. He previously served as major of the Criminal Investigations Division where he oversaw investigations.

In the case of Clements, who followed in his father's footsteps, his son is also a veteran Miami Beach officer.

"It really is a testament to any parent when their child says 'I'd like to do what you do,'" the mayor observed. "For the Clements family thank you very much for your service."

The mayor said he reads all of the incident reports daily. "Our police do something that is pretty incredible," Gelber said. "Every day they wake up, they agree to put themselves in harm's way so we don't have to."

Gelber said one of the things that separate his city's officers from the people they arrest is that they give warning before they use lethal force and adhere to the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

"Their adversaries would never do that," Gelber said, praising the department. "We care about you. We appreciate you and we respect you. You should never forget about that ever."

In 1995, Clements suffered a gunshot wound in his thigh. While injured, he returned fire and struck the shooter who later received a 30-year prison sentence.

The transfer of power follows a difficult spring break for Miami Beach police that required officers to work long hours and challenged Oates to implement an unprecedented police crackdown that appeared to make him uncomfortable as he outlined the potential ramifications at a meeting of frustrated elected officials.

Oates was credited with reestablishing order in the department and setting high standards in a community of only 90,000 that swells to accommodate 14 million visitors each year. He developed the command staff and brought in new technology such as body cameras, license plate readers and surveillance cameras.

Clements has experience in a number of areas within the department, including criminal investigations, patrol operations, crime prevention and Special Weapons and Tactics Team better known as the SWAT team. Before serving as deputy chief, he was major of the Investigations and Support Services Unit.

"I do have some big shoes to fill and moving forward I think I've got a great team around me," Clements said. "I promised you then. I promise you now. I won't let you down."

The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Miami Beach City Commission Chambers.