MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach has a new top cop, as Daniel Oates was sworn in as police chief Wednesday before colleagues, commissioners and constituents at Miami Beach City Hall.
"It's an incredible honor to have as fascinating a city as this ... to appoint me as their police chief," said Oates. "It's humbling."
Oates succeeds former Chief Raymond Martinez, who announced his retirement in March.
Oates has more than 30 years experience, working for police departments in New York and Ann Arbor, Mich. He was also police chief in Aurora, Colo., at the time of the movie theater shooting in 2012 that shocked the nation.
"Every time you do this you learn a little about how to do it better," said Oates.
Oates has already hit the ground running. He was at the scene early Tuesday morning after a celebrity chef was gunned down at Mansion nightclub. It's a case he hopes to solve.
"It's obviously a sad and tragic event and our obligation is to get to the bottom of it and hold people accountable, and we're hopeful," said Oates.
The department itself has seen its share of disgraceful moments, from the arrest of an on-duty officer for DUI and reckless driving, to a Memorial Day police-involved shooting that drew national headlines. Oates said he will look at ways to improve the public's perception and relationship with the police department.
Oates also said there will be some changes made to the police department and he plans to mold the department into what he thinks is best.