Michael Walek News Today

CLEARWATER — City Manager Jennifer Poirrier has appointed Eric Gandy, a former deputy chief and current director of the city’s Marine and Aviation Department, as its next police chief, the

Eric Gandy, a former deputy chief and the city’s marine and aviation director, will take on the role starting July 29.

CLEARWATER — Smoking and vaping is now banned within the city’s parks and on the sand at Clearwater Beach in an effort to protect public health and curb one of

CLEARWATER — Smoking and vaping is now banned within the city’s parks and on the sand at Clearwater Beach in an effort to protect public health and curb one of

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The change comes as the city manager considers a retired deputy chief as a potential candidate for the next police chief.

The city will launch an educational campaign and avoid punishing violators with civil citations.

City Council is discussing the change as a retired deputy chief is under consideration to be the city’s next police chief.

CLEARWATER — More than 25 years after he joined the Clearwater Police Department, Deputy Chief Michael Walek has been appointed to lead the department during the city’s search to replace

Walek joined the Clearwater Police Department in 1997 and was appointed as its second-in-command about a year ago.