"A national search is underway to hire a qualified professional to lead the City of Homestead Police Department in Florida as its Chief of Police, the posting reads. "The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced, transformational leader who has earned a reputation for being a high-integrity police executive."
The posting seemingly came out of nowhere, given that the department employs the longest-serving chief in all of Florida.
Alexander E. Rolle Jr. joined the department in 1979 and has served as police chief for the past 26 years. He was the city's first Black police chief.
In an interview with WFOR-TV (CBS4) in January 2023, Rolle, then 72 years old, said he had no plans to retire anytime soon.
"The reason I am still here is that the people in the police department want me to stay here and the people in the community want me to stay here," he said. "My whole philosophy is to make sure that people are safe and take care of the elderly and take care of kids and make sure that people in this city when they call for police they respond in a professional manner and treat people respectfully."
The city named its police station in Rolle's honor last year. (He's also the father of former University of Miami football star and retired NFL defensive back Antrel Rolle.)
"Under his leadership, the Homestead Police Department has implemented programs that include community policing strategies and helped improve public safety and reduce crime in the city," a city press release read following Rolle's building dedication.
Capt. Fernando Morales, the department's public information officer, informed New Times in a brusque but perhaps tellingly so email that Rolle is still the boss.
"Any further inquiries should be made to the city manager's office," he added.
New Times has put in calls to the city manager's office and, for good measure, its communications office.
In May, a Homestead police detective was suspended without pay for three days and reassigned to uniform patrol after he pursued a romantic relationship with a case subject and arrested her ex-boyfriend.
Scant hours after New Times posted this story online, the city issued a press release
"The City of Homestead announced the launch of its executive recruitment process for a new chief of police following proper procedures and internal coordination," the press release read. "The city charter provides that staff recruitment, especially of executive management positions are within the purview of the city manager. The City of Homestead Council was informed of the commencement of the recruitment on July 30, 2024."
The city added that Rolle will lead the department through the end of the year. Rolle, who formally retired from the city in 2009, is under contract until December 31, 2024.
