Fort Myers Police Department

The Fort Myers Police Department is the law enforcement agency responsible for primary law enforcement services in the city of Fort Myers, Florida.

Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD)
AbbreviationFMPD
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionFort Myers, Florida
Operational structure
Headquarters2210 Widman Way Fort Myers, FL 33901
Agency executive
  • Derrick Diggs, Chief
Website
www.fmpolice.com

A measure placed on the ballot in 2013 proposed merging the agency with the Lee County Sheriff's Office. The item was soundly rejected, with over 82%[1] of the voters opposing it.

In 2015, officers from the agency arrested former professional football player Nate Allen. Allen was later released and cleared of any charges. An investigation uncovered evidence that Chief Doug Baker had discrepancies in his reports and statements. Baker was fired and an interim chief was appointed.[2]

In June 2016, after a six-month national search, the city manager named Derrick Diggs as the next chief of police.[3] Diggs, who is retired from the Toledo (OH) Police Department[4] was unanimously approved by the city council.[5]

Chiefs of police
  • 1974-1986: Margan House
  • 1986-1990: Jere Spurlin
  • 1990-1991: Harold Ford
  • 1991-1995: Donna Hansen[6]
  • 1995-2001: Larry Hart
  • 2001-2008 Hilton Daniels
  • 2008-2015: Doug Baker
  • 2015-2016: Dennis Eads (interim)[2]
  • 2016–present: Derrick Diggs[7]

Equipment

The department acquired a MRAP from the U.S. government in 2014. The vehicle, which replaced a surplus V-150, is used by the agency SWAT team.[8]

References
  1. "Election Day results". WBBH. November 6, 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. Dulaney, Cody (August 15, 2015). "Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker fired in wake of NFL player's wrongful arrest". Fort Myers News-Press. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  3. Dulaney, Cody (June 26, 2016). "Fort Myers manager names Derrick Diggs as next police chief". News-Press. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. Chambers, Stan (June 28, 2016). "Former Toledo chief tapped to lead Fort Myers PD". WINK. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  5. Pinsker, Adam (July 1, 2016). "Outsider Derrick Diggs to head Fort Myers Police Department". WFTX. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  6. Moses Schulz, Dorothy (2004). Breaking the Brass Ceiling: Women Police Chiefs and Their Paths to the Top. Praeger Publishers. p. 53.
  7. Mato, Nestor. "FMPD chief said violence in city worse than he anticipated". Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  8. Montoya, Melissa (June 6, 2014). "Fort Myers police upgrade armored ride". News-Press. Retrieved 28 July 2016.

Further reading
  • Fort Myers Police Department: 125th Anniversary 1885-2010. M.T. Publishing Company, Inc. 2009-12-09. ISBN 978-1934729328.


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