Fort Myers City Council approved Capt. and Acting Maj. Jason Fields as the new chief of the city’s police department by a 6-1 vote on Monday.
Fields, who has 23 years of experience, was one of two internal candidates among five finalists for the position previously held by Derrick Diggs who died in February after serving the city since 2016. Capt. Victor Medico, who has 23 years of experience, was the other internal candidate.
External candidates included former City of Columbus, Ohio, Police Chief Richard Bash, former Norfolk, Virginia, Police Chief Larry Boone and former City of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Police Chief Gina Hawkins.
The city chose the finalists from a pool of 170 candidates and hosted two public forums with the finalists.
Capt. and Acting Maj. Jason Fields
Fields’ appointment came after City Manager Marty Lawing doubled down on his original recommendation of Virginia Beach Police Department Deputy Chief Reo Hatfield, who wasn’t among the original finalists. Council rejected Hatfield’s candidacy in a 4-3 vote last month and again in a 4-3 vote Monday.
Interim Chief Randall Pepitone, who has served in the temporary role for nearly a year, plans to retire on Aug. 2.
“He’s been professional throughout the process, and we appreciate him agreeing to serve in that role,” Lawing said of Pepitone.
Council members who voted against Hatfield clarified it was not an issue of qualifications, but an issue with process since he was not one of the original final candidates.
“All I want is the Fort Myers Police Department and its citizens to be taken care of,” said council member Johnny Streets. “That’s priority one. It was the process, it was not the officers, and they need to know that.”
After comments, Lawing alternatively recommended Fields, who has been with FMPD for 20 years.
“There’s an incredible opportunity for promoting from within from being able to give people who have been here in this town, who have been here in the city, who know the good, the bad, and the ugly of what they’re walking into,” council member Darla Bonk said. “I have every confidence that Mr. Fields will be able to accomplish that role and be able to have a force that will rally around him.”
