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Search begins for Inverness police chief
By CARRIE JOHNSON and BRIDGET HALL GRUMET INVERNESS -- Two months after Inverness police Chief Joe Elizarde resigned following a dispute with a restaurant owner over a missing order for two hamburgers, the city of Inverness has started the search for his replacement. The job was posted Monday for internal candidates. On Friday, the city will evaluate the applicants who apply from within the department and either pick one or post the job externally, said Frank Blackwelder, the city's administrative management assistant. So far, the only candidate who has applied is Lt. Lee Alexander, the interim chief since Elizarde's resignation Feb. 1. "Lt. Alexander has been performing the duties of interim chief of police since late January/early February, and has performed them in such a manner that we have confidence in his ability and feel he deserves to make application for the permanent position," Blackwelder said. When asked why the city waited so long before starting the search for a permanent replacement, Blackwelder said city officials wanted to see how Alexander would function as the acting chief. "The period of time that Lt. Alexander has performed the duties of interim chief of police has allowed both himself and the (city) manager's office to evaluate his performance, the department's performance and the citizens' reactions," he said. Alexander, 40, was hired by the Inverness Police Department in November 1991. He achieved the rank of lieutenant in December 1999 and is paid $37,500, according to his personnel file. Alexander said he has already built a rapport with other local law enforcement agencies, citizens and city officials. "I think what we need is somebody who understands the personality and the needs of the community," he said. "Our job is to help everyone." The small police force received a black eye recently after former Chief Elizarde became embroiled in a controversy when local restaurant owner Butch Ramsey was arrested following an argument over a late order on New Year's Day. A public outcry followed and many citizens charged Elizarde with abusing his police powers. Ramsey, the owner of Happy Dayz diner on U.S. 41, said he still plans to file a lawsuit, charging the officers who arrested him with conspiracy to violate his civil rights. "It's not going to be a pleasant thing," he said Tuesday. Alexander said he hopes to put the incident to rest. "I think the best thing we can do is put it behind us and be judged from what we do from this point forward," he said.
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