Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon’s appointment as Orlando’s new chief of police drew a standing ovation from officers and city officials at a ceremony Thursday, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the 25-year-veteran’s appointment in a tweet. Rolon, 54, will be the city’s first Hispanic police chief in a city where about 30 percent of residents are Hispanic. “Orlando has been my home…for the past four decades and I don’t take this opportunity lightly,” Rolon said.
Police Chief John Mina announced his retirement to run for Orange County Sheriff. Mina’s last day at work is Oct. 26, and his retirement is effective Dec. 1. Rolon will serve as acting police chief starting Oct. 27. He will be paid $172,931.20. Rolon, one of four deputy chiefs, oversees the department’s largest division: the Patrol Services Bureau. He’s worked in all four department bureaus and nine of 11 divisions and once served as an police spokesman. He’s also commanded the Professional Standards, West Patrol and Traffic Enforcement divisions, and served on the Crisis Negotiation Team for nearly 20 years. Rolon was a liaison to Dyer from 2005 to 2008 and advised the mayor on important issues in the Hispanic community.