here - Satellite Beach

Internet Research
Armando Martinez
(Note: Articles Appear in Reverse Chronological Order)
Tab 8
Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
January 17, 2007
Chief aware of problems facing city
Author: DEREK L. KINNER - STAFF WRITER
Dateline: BUNNELL
BUNNELL - The search for a new police chief is over. City Manager Richard Diamond said
Miami Police Capt. Armando Martinez has agreed to lead Bunnell's Police Department.
Martinez, 47, has spent more than 25 years with the Miami department, serving as a captain
since 1998. He has had more than 1,700 hours of police training.
"I'm very humbled by the assignment," Martinez, who will earn $60,000 annually, said Friday.
"I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve the community."
In the letter he sent with his resume, Martinez said, "I am a strong proponent of being highly
visible, accessible and accountable to the community in order to form a trusting and lasting
partnership."
Those are some of the qualities Bunnell residents are looking for after crime exploded in the
community of 2,000 in recent years. Residents say things have gotten better since interim Police
Chief Mike Ignasiak took over and made sure officers were patrolling high-crime areas. The City
Commission also contracted with the Sheriff's Office to provide a deputy 24 hours a day to assist
city police.
While city officials made it clear they would have liked Ignasiak, the former chief of Edgewater,
to accept the Bunnell position permanently, he declined.
Diamond said Martinez's obvious eagerness to work in Bunnell won over members of the panel
given the task of finding a chief .
"He ranked pretty high with all of them," Diamond said. "Other candidates had more experience,
but they (the panel) seemed to like his enthusiasm, his real eagerness to work for the city, and his
background dealing with drug enforcement."
Martinez said he is well aware of the problems that have faced Bunnell .
"I read a couple of articles, met with Chief Ignasiak, read the (Ignasiak) report, met with the city
manager," he said. "I think I have a grasp with what the problems are. The first thing I need to do
is introduce myself to the community and gain their trust and gain their cooperation. It takes a
collaborative effort."
Page 94 of 104