South Daytona appointed former Port Orange public safety director Gerald Monahan Jr. as its interim police chief in the wake of this month's abrupt retirement of Ron Wright.
Monahan was introduced as the new chief during Tuesday's City Council meeting and officially started Wednesday.
Monahan takes over after Wright's April 3 departure. Wright served the agency for 30 years and led it for five. Wright is under a criminal investigation and has not spoken publicly about the matter. The nature of the investigation by the State Attorney's Office nor any details have been released.
Monahan, who lives in South Daytona, retired from the city of Port Orange on Dec. 1, 2015, following a 44-year career as a law enforcement officer. He first served as police chief and later took over leadership of Port Orange's police and fire departments.
City Manager Joe Yarbrough said South Daytona will conduct a nationwide search that will allow both internal and external candidates to apply for the position.
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