City council unanimously approves Diggs’ contract as FMPD chief

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Derrick Diggs (Photo courtesy of WTOL)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Former Toledo, Ohio police chief Derrick Diggs will begin working under his new role Aug. 16 after a 7-0 vote approving his contract with the Fort Myers Police Department on Monday.

Diggs, who has never been an officer in Florida, will work as an administrator of the department, until he passes a state certification exam issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He has become most notable for claiming to have cut crime in Toledo by 30 percent, with the help of cameras in high-crime areas.

His ideas are welcome by many after the city was rocked by a mass shooting that claimed the lives of two local teenagers. Mayor Randy Henderson said he will funnel more resources into law enforcement, while residents hope Diggs will work to gain community trust.

Here are the details of his contract:

  • Three-year deal
  • Base salary of $140,000
  • Required to live within city limits
  • Use of car and cellphone
  • Paid moving expenses
  • Temporary housing up to $3,000

City council’s unanimous vote ends a months-long process and paves the way for Diggs to become the city’s first police chief from outside the department in 21 years. He will also be the department’s first African-American leader in more than a decade after beating out seven other finalists for the position, including Interim Chief Dennis Eads. Diggs is replacing Doug Baker, who was fired in August 2015 amid controversy surrounding the wrongful arrest of NFL player Nate Allen.

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