BREAKING: Evander Collier IV Selected New Cocoa Police Chief After Expansive Search

By  //  April 16, 2021

Collier served in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years

Evander Collier IV of Jacksonville, Florida has been selected to serve the residents of Cocoa as the next Chief of Police. Collier who has served in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years in various leadership roles, including as an Assistant Chief of Police, will begin in his new role by the beginning of May. (Cocoa Police image)

Collier will begin in his new role by the beginning of May

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Evander Collier IV of Jacksonville, Florida has been selected to serve the residents of Cocoa as the next Chief of Police.

Collier who has served in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years in various leadership roles, including as an Assistant Chief of Police, will begin in his new role next month.

Collier has held a progression of leadership roles and has command-level training. His experience has included time with the homicide, burglary, community-oriented policing, and violent crimes divisions.

“I am pleased to announce the selection of Evander Collier IV as the next Chief of Police for the City of Cocoa,” said Cocoa City Manager Stockton Whitten.

“His extensive knowledge and experience in an urban community such as Jacksonville will help him excel in his new role here in Cocoa. His leadership in and experience with community-oriented policing will be key to serving the residents of Cocoa.”

“I am pleased to announce the selection of Evander Collier IV as the next Chief of Police for the City of Cocoa,” said Cocoa City Manager Stockton Whitten. “His extensive knowledge and experience in an urban community such as Jacksonville will help him excel in his new role here in Cocoa. His leadership in and experience with community-oriented policing will be key to serving the residents of Cocoa.”

A national recruitment process was initiated in October 2020 with the retirement of Chief Michael Cantaloupe at the end of the year. Over eighty applications were received for the position.

A screening committee comprised of a diverse group of Cocoa citizens and business owners scanned through and dwindled down the pool of qualified candidates to five.

Those five candidates came to Cocoa and participated in two public forums where citizens were able to ask questions to learn more about them and to interview with the City Manager.

“The process to select Cocoa’s next Police Chief has been expansive, fair and transparent and I am thrilled with the input we received from the community throughout,” said Mayor Michael C. Blake.

“I look forward to welcoming our newest Cocoa resident, Mr. Collier to serve our great community.”

Information on the recruitment and selection process can be found on the City’s website HERE including a link to the top five candidate’s resumes.

“The process to select Cocoa’s next Police Chief has been expansive, fair and transparent and I am thrilled with the input we received from the community throughout,” said Mayor Michael C. Blake. “I look forward to welcoming our newest Cocoa resident, Mr. Collier to serve our great community.”
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