SURFSIDE, Fla. – Surfside Police Department Chief Wayne Holbrook, who took over from a chief who lasted less than a year on the job before resigning, called it quits himself Thursday — after lasting less than a month as the turbulent town’s top cop.
Sources tell Local 10 News that Holbrook has resigned because of an unhealthy work environment and tensions with Mayor Charles Burkett.
His emails and access to the police station have been blocked, sources said.
Holbrook promised “stability” amid political drama over the town and its police department when he was named chief in mid-December, taking over for Chief Henry Doce.
It all comes amid tension between Burkett and the city’s police officers. The mayor has been seen on body camera videos involving himself in police activity. One woman claimed the mayor pulled her over.
The future of the entire police department is now in question.
At Tuesday’s town commission meeting, Burkett is expected to place an item on the agenda seeking to have the brand new Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office take over law enforcement on the island community.
Burkett told Local 10 News Thursday that he’s not sure why Holbrook resigned.