By Mary Hladky
Veteran officer Michele Miuccio has been named interim police chief, taking over for Dan Alexander, who retired Nov. 30.
Miuccio, who joined the Boca Raton department in 1989, has served as deputy chief of police for the past four years. Since her hiring as a patrol officer, Miuccio has risen through the ranks, becoming a captain in 2002 and assistant chief in 2005. She has served in the property, crimes against persons, vice, intelligence and narcotics units.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve in this position and work alongside the dedicated men and women who keep Boca Raton safe and protect our residents,” Miuccio said in a Nov. 22 city statement announcing her elevation. “Together, we can make one of the finest police agencies even better.”
Alexander, who led the department for 13 years, was hired by the Palm Beach County school district in October to fill the newly created position of director of school police. He is now second in command at the department, reporting to School Police Chief Frank Kitzerow.
The school Police Department is growing rapidly, largely to meet the requirements of a state law that was enacted after the 2018 massacre of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The law requires armed school safety officers to be assigned to every school.
City Council members thanked Alexander at the Nov. 26 council meeting.
“Thank you to Chief Alexander,” said council member Monica Mayotte. “I want to thank him for his service to the city all these years.”
Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers praised Alexander for keeping residents safe.
“The good news is he is now working on the safety of our students,” he said. “A loss in one area and a gain in another area.”
The city’s Police Department has 216 officers and 107 civilian employees. Police officer starting salaries were recently increased to $70,198.
Comments