New Palm Bay Police Officials Swear In Today
By Space Coast Daily // October 3, 2013
retirement of Deputy Chief John Blackledge
ABOVE VIDEO: The most recent ‘Palm Bay Police; Off The Cuff.’ Also a detailed look at the July shooting incident that wounded a Palm Bay police officer and injured another. This segment takes you from the initial officer response to the 9-1-1 calls, the shootout and the crisis negotiations that ended with the successful apprehension of the gunman.
PALM BAY • BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — With the retirement of Deputy Chief John Blackledge after 33-years of service, Palm Bay Police Chief Doug Muldoon will formally swear in two new members of his command staff on Thursday during the regular meeting of the Palm Bay City Council.
During the meeting which begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers located at 120 Malabar Rd. S.E., newly appointed Deputy Chief Mark Renkens and Captain Tim Zander will receive new badges and uniform insignia coinciding with their respective new ranks; three-stars for deputy chief and two bars for captain.
Deputy Chief Mark Renkens is a 24-year law enforcement professional who began his career with Palm Bay in November 1989. Prior to joining the Palm Bay Police Department, Renkens served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. As deputy chief of the Palm Bay PD he is currently assigned as the Uniform Services Division commander, which includes the Communications Center.
CHIEF RENKENS
Deputy Chief Renkens has a master’s degree in administration of justice and security from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of the 212th Session of the FBI National Academy.
He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute of Police and FBI’s Executive Development Program.
Deputy Chief Renkens has served the agency in a variety of disciplines to include field training officer, honor guard member, SWAT team member, and detective.
He was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and served as a patrol supervisor, special operations supervisor, and traffic unit supervisor.
In 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant and served as the code enforcement manager and patrol watch commander. In 2010, he was promoted to captain and served as the District 2 commander and support services commander. He was promoted to his current position of deputy chief in September of 2013.
TIM ZANDER
Captain Tim Zander is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served for four years. He began his professional law enforcement career in 2000 when he joined the Palm Bay Police Department as a patrol officer.
During his tenure with this agency he served in a variety of capacities including patrol, field training officer program, and special investigations.
Captain Zander was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and served as patrol supervisor, field training officer coordinator and lead the Special Investigations Unit which handled drug and weapon investigations along with targeted and covert high-risk operations often involving career criminals and violent offenders. Captain Zander quickly worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant in 2011 where he began serving as watch commander.
His leadership responsibilities expanded to include coordination of security and public safety for special events. He also managed the reserve officer program the city’s red light camera program.
Captain Zander has an associate degree from Jefferson Community College in Watertown, New York; a bachelor’s degree in professional administration along with a master’s degree in public administration from Barry University.
FIVE NEW POLICE OFFICERS
Other promotions include Lt. Tim Landers, Lt. Mike Bandish and Lt. Chris Imel all promoted from the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Clifford Graves, Sgt. Mike Roberts, and Sgt. Mike Smith are promoted from the ranks of corporal.
Captain Zander is a graduate of the Florida Leadership Academy and Florida State University’s Certified Public Manager program. Captain Zander is currently assigned to District 2.
Other promotions include Lt. Tim Landers, Lt. Mike Bandish and Lt. Chris Imel all promoted from the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Clifford Graves, Sgt. Mike Roberts, and Sgt. Mike Smith are promoted from the ranks of corporal. They will all serve in the uniformed services division in patrol operations.
In addition to the promotions, Chief Muldoon will also be swearing in five new police officers.
