City of Palm Bay to Host ‘Meet and Greet’ for Police Chief Finalists Wednesday Evening

By  //  July 31, 2019

This is your opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and discuss your expectations

The City of Palm Bay is hiring a new police chief and current acting Palm Bay Police Chief Nelson Moya is among the finalist. The City has been hard at work narrowing down a list of over 50 talented applicants with a process that has included interviews, examinations, and input from outside consultants. (Palm Bay Police Department image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay is hiring a new Police Chief and they would like you to be part of the process. The City has been hard at work narrowing down a list of over 50 talented applicants with a process that has included interviews, examinations, and input from outside consultants.

On July 31, the semi-finalists will have their final interviews with the city and following the interviews, the top candidates will take part in a public meet and greet at City Hall.

The City of Palm Bay invites residents, members of the business community, and community partners to attend the Meet and Greet with the finalists.

“It is important to the City of Palm Bay to select a chief who is not only highly experienced and qualified but who is also a good fit for our community,” said City of Palm Bay officials.

“This is your opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and discuss your expectations of the Palm Bay Police Department.”

The interviews will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Palm Bay City Hall, located at 120 Malabar Road SE and the Meet and Greet will be held in the City Hall Annex and Community Room.

FINALIST FOR PALM BAY POLICE CHIEF INCLUDE: 

• Andy Harvey – Chief of the Palestine Police Department, TX

Andy Harvey currently serves as the Chief of Police of the Palestine Police Department. His leadership assignments in the Dallas Police Department include Investigations, Patrol, and Media Relations.

As a Patrol Watch Commander, Harvey implemented a policing model that places a high value in team member’s contributions, promotes problem-solving, excellent customer service, a heightened sense of responsibility, and in developing team members’ ability to see the big picture.

Chief Harvey believes in innovation. As the Dallas Police Media Relations Commander, he implemented several programs, including the creation of social networking services and a web video series called First Watch, both in English and Spanish. Harvey has been interviewed on local, national, and international news programs.

Andy Harvey’s leadership experience covers both military and law enforcement professions. At the age of 37 and after having a distinguished military career with over 20 years of service, Harvey retired to focus more on his law enforcement profession. Prior to his military retirement, Harvey served as the First Sergeant over the 136th Mission Support Group at Carswell Naval Air Station, Ft. Worth Texas.

Chief Harvey believes in continuous education. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Command College in Huntsville, Texas, the Caruth Police Institute in Dallas, Texas, and ILEA Police School of Supervision in Plano, Texas.

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• Nelson Moya – Acting Chief of the Palm Bay Police Department

Deputy Chief Nelson Moya began his career with the Palm Bay Police Department in 1991 and has served the agency in a variety of disciplines. During his tenure he quickly established himself as a leader and served in multiple leadership functions to include command and leadership roles within the SWAT team, training of new hires in the Field Training Officer program and as a Sergeant managing patrol zones, neighborhood policing, and special investigations. Deputy Chief Moya has also served as a Major Case Detective, Internal Affairs Investigator, Tactical Incident Commander and Lieutenant managing the Major Case Unit, Special Investigations Unit and Support Services.

Deputy Chief Moya earned an associate degree from Brevard Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration from Barry University, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, 263rd Session. He also graduated from the Southern Police Institute Command Officer’s Development Course, 36th Session; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (Inaugural Session); the FBI’s Florida Executive Development Seminar and the Certified Public Manager program. Deputy Chief Moya is currently serving as the Vice President of the Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association.

Moya is currently serving as the Acting Chief of the Palm Bay Police Department following the retirement of Chief Jim Rogers in April.

• Timothy Sheehan – Chief of the Tewksbury Police Department, MA

Timothy Sheehan began his law enforcement career with the Tewksbury Police Department as a Patrol Officer in May of 1987.

During his tenure with the department, he has served in many different capacities such as SWAT Officer, K-9 Officer, Sergeant, SWAT Team Leader, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, SWAT Team Commander, and Deputy Chief. At the age of 45, he was appointed Chief of Police in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and has served in this capacity since December of 2009.

In addition to his primary position of Chief of Police, Chief Sheehan also serves as the Control Chief of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team, Law Enforcement Representative on the Lowell District Court Drug Court Team, Chairman of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Civil Service Committee and Firearms Committee, Member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Chiefs Assistance Committee, Substance Abuse Committee, and School Safety Task Force, and a member of the Middlesex County Opioid Task Force.

Chief Sheehan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield College and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College.

Additionally, Chief Sheehan is a graduate of the 239th Session of the FBI National Academy as well as the Suffolk University Public Safety Leadership and Management Certificate Program, the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, and the Endicott College Chief and Command Leadership Academy Public Safety Leadership and Management Certificate Program.

• Jeff Tambasco – Captain of the Kissimmee Police Department

Jeff Tambasco is a Captain with the Kissimmee Police Department in Central Florida. Jeff has 23 years in law enforcement with 21 years as a member of the SWAT team, where he ascended to the rank of Team Commander.

During his career, Tambasco has commanded the Patrol Division, Special Operations Division, Support Services Division and the Criminal Investigations Division. He currently serves as the Support Services Division Captain.

Captain Tambasco possesses a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Command Officer Development Course, The FBI Executive Leadership Course and the Florida Police Chief’s Future Police Chief Course. He is a nationally-registered Emergency Medical Technician and holds an instructor certification in Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

Jeff was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Orlando with his parents at a young age. Jeff is married to his wife Candy and they have three children, Courtney, Colin and Caleb, and one grandchild Olivia.

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• Elias “Eli” Vazquez – Assistant Chief of the Tampa Police Department

Assistant Chief Eli Vazquez started his law enforcement career in 1988 in Garden Grove, California. After serving four years in California, Vazquez served two years with the Seminole Indian Police Department in Tampa, Florida.

He then joined the Tampa Police Department in August of 1994 where he served in narcotics investigations working in an undercover capacity as a Narcotics Officer, Detective, Sergeant and, ultimately, Captain of the Narcotics Bureau. Assistant Chief Vazquez has also served as the Special Operations Division Captain in charge of the Motor Unit, Marine Patrol, Mounted Patrol, Air Service, DUI Unit, Traffic Homicide Unit, SWAT & hostage negotiation teams, as well as the Special Incident Management Unit.

Vazquez also served as the Department’s Hispanic Liaison, working closely with Spanish-language media outlets and residents to ensure the lines of communication between Tampa’s Hispanic community and the Police Department stayed open. He has taken command roles in major events such as the Super Bowl, the Republican National Convention, Gasparilla, and, most recently, the College Football Playoffs.

Prior to working for the Tampa Police Department, Assistant Chief Vazquez served four years in the United States Marine Corps. He is a proud graduate of Saint Leo University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

He also attended the Drug Unit Commanders School hosted by the Drug Enforcement Agency, attended the Leadership in Police Organizations program sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, attended the Senior Management Institute for Police sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum, and most recently attended the Police Executive Leadership Institute sponsored by the Major City Chiefs Association.

• Tim Zander – Commander of the Palm Bay Police Department

Commander Tim Zander is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served for four years. Following his military service, 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 the agency, he has served in a variety of capacities including Patrol, the Field Training Officer Program, and Special Investigations. Zander was promoted to Sergeant in 2007 and served as Patrol Supervisor, Field Training Coordinator, and lead the Special Investigations Unit, which oversees drug and weapon investigations along with targeted and covert high-risk operations, often involving career criminals and violent offenders.

In 2011, he was promoted to Lieutenant and began serving as Watch Commander. Zander quickly earned a promotion to Commander in 2013 and his leadership responsibilities expanded to include the coordination of security and public safety for special events and the management of the Reserve Officer Program.

Commander Zander is currently assigned to the Support Service Division, which includes Training, Recruiting, Field Training, Accreditation, Communications, Technical Services, Logistics, Community Services (Domestic Violence Advocacy and the Volunteer Program), and Crossing Guards.

Zander has an associate degree from Jefferson County Community College in Watertown, New York. He also completed a bachelor’s degree in Professional Administration and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Barry University. Commander Zander is also a graduate of the Florida Leadership Academy, Florida State University’s Certified Public Manager Program, and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

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