JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Gene Paul Smith was appointed as the Jacksonville Beach police chief during Monday's City Council meeting.
The City Council approved the city manager's decision to appoint Cmdr. Gene Paul Smith to the position of police chief.
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He has been with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department for about 25 years.
The appointment comes after former Police Chief Pat Dooley submitted his resignation in fiscal year 2018.
After the announcement of the Police Department's new chief, the agency also congratulated Eric Shaughnessy as its newest commander and welcomed new officers Bryan Lord and Eli Williams.
Cheers echoed through City Hall last night when Gene Paul Smith was announced the next Chief of Police for Jacksonville Beach PD. We couldn't be more proud to have you as our leader and we are so honored to be able to take this next step with you. Congratulations Chief Smith! pic.twitter.com/7G7OXj8HTy
Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.
