Want to lead a police department of 1,100 employees in a city filled with palm trees and surrounded by blue ocean waters? Crime has been down the past decade, though the politics involved with the job often leave a lot to be desired, says the Miami Herald. Salary could approach $200,000, with benefits including life insurance, paid leave, even a take-home car. The fact that the Miami posted a “help wanted” ad a day after one of the larger dramas in Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado's year-long battle to oust Police Chief Miguel Exposito played out was no more than coincidence, said city manager Johnny Martinez.
Exposito is “scheduled to retire in January 2012,” said Martinez. “I just want to see what's out there. I don't want to get caught last minute. Martinez said he has no plans to fire Exposito before his retirement date. On Wednesday, a voided check surfaced for $200,000 that was written to the chief in January. Regalado explained it was an a payment offered in January to the chief in an effort to get him to resign. Exposito, who said the actual offer was for a total of $400,000 — he said he was promised another $200,000 after he actually left — turned it down, but insinuated he had contacted law enforcement about possible criminal activity.