Cocoa Begins Search for Next Chief of Police, Mike Cantaloupe Set to Retire in December After 30 Years

By  //  September 23, 2020

Candidate selection anticipated in January 2021

The City of Cocoa is beginning its search for the next Chief of Police as current Chief Mike Cantaloupe is set to retire this December after serving 30 years with the Cocoa Police Department.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – The City of Cocoa is beginning its search for the next chief of police as Chief Mike Cantaloupe is set to retire in December after serving the citizens of Cocoa for 30 years.

City of Cocoa officials are seeking citizen feedback as they begin the selection process, which is detailed below:

Phase 1 – Ideal Candidate Development (September 2020)

■ City Manager to meet with and survey each member of City Council to identify ideal characteristics for the ultimately selected candidate including management style, department focus, and experience.

■ City Manager to solicit input from Police Department personnel and unions to identify ideal characteristics for the ultimately selected candidate.

■ City Manager to solicit input from the Police Community Relations Advisory Board members to identify ideal characteristics for the ultimately selected candidate.

■ City Manager to solicit community input to identify ideal characteristics for the ultimately selected candidate. The survey linked below is open September 11 – 25, 2020.

Phase 2 – Recruitment (September – October 2020)

■ The City will review and revise the job description accordingly and create a recruitment brochure.
■ Recruitment initiated through a national broad-based search.

Phase 3 – Candidate Evaluation (November – December 2020)

■ The city Manager will organize a committee to assist in evaluating/interviewing top candidates. Each City Councilmember and the City Manager will appoint a member of this committee.

■ Community Meets and Greet for the top three (3) candidates: Each of the top three (3) candidates will answer community questions. More information to come soon on the exact date for this event.

Phase 4 – Candidate Selection (January 2021)

■ Candidate selection anticipated in January 2021.

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