Interim Chief of Police Michael Palma.
Margate is on the verge of appointing a new permanent police chief.
Following a long and contentious discussion, the commission agreed unanimously to begin the process of making interim chief Michael Palma the permanent chief during the June 19 meeting.
Palma was named as interim following the departure of former chief Joseph Galaska.
Mayor Tommy Ruzzano asked his fellow commissioners to appoint Palma as the permanent chief, stating that Palma has been effectively running the department. He proposed putting a hold on the selection process for a new chief, as the city had been working with a consultant to search for candidates.
“I think he is a great guy and a different kind of a chief. He stood up and said I will take that position. I think he has earned his stripes,” said Ruzzano. “The culture of the department has changed. His team wants him to be the chief.”
At first, this drew some resistance from commissioners who wanted to consider candidates from outside the department or have Palma serve as an interim for longer.
Commissioner Anthony Caggiano said he loves Palma but believes he should be given another three months as interim chief before he would be considered for the permanent position.
Commissioner Antonio Arserio said he wanted to look outside but would be open to suspending the search. He also wanted a price from the Broward Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement. He believed Palma should be encouraged to apply, and there should be a competitive process.
Commissioner Joanne Simone praised Palma’s work but was reluctant to make a final decision.
Vice Mayor Arlene Schwartz initially opposed promoting a chief from within and said it was too soon to make a final decision. However, she said it was important to consider people from outside the department.
The first motion was to suspend the search. Caggiano suggested a three-month search suspension, and Arserio agreed but said it would not be promised that Palma would be offered the permanent position.
Members of the Margate police department and residents also spoke. Tony Careccia, a school resource officer, spoke in favor of hiring Palma. “I am begging you to give this man a chance. We need to give him our support. I talk with him all the time, and he has great ideas.”
Other officers and residents spoke in favor of making Palma the permanent chief.
After receiving comments, Ruzzano continued to support Palma and suggested making him chief. There was further discussion, and Schwartz initially said she wanted more time, but after hearing from the officers, she said she would support him.
Simone said that after seeing the officers’ level of support, she would also support Palma for the permanent position.
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