The St. Augustine Beach City Commission Monday unanimously named Daniel Carswell the chief of police.
Carswell has served as the interim police chief since Nov. 9, when former chief Rob Hardwick was elected sheriff of St. Johns County. During the meeting, Hardwick voiced his strong support for Carswell as both the sheriff and personally from his family as residents of St. Augustine Beach.
Sgt. Natalie Gillespie also spoke favorably of Carswell, telling commissioners he “has poured his heart and soul” into the St. Augustine Beach Police Department since 2006.
“I am very excited and honored to be selected as chief of police,” Carswell said. “The St. Augustine Beach Police Department has an outstanding history of police chiefs who were loved by this community and the officers they led. I hope to continue in that tradition and maintain the reputation that the SABPD has earned. This agency means everything to me, and I am going to continue to work hard to serve this community every day. I am very thankful for the support of my family, friends and entire SABPD family. Without their help and support over the past year, this would not have been possible."