During the recent Fort Pierce City Commission meeting, significant discussions centered around the Fort Pierce Police Department's response to the Center for Public Safety Management's (CPSM) final report. Acting Chief Fido and his command team presented a detailed management response to the 84 recommendations outlined in the CPSM report, which aimed to enhance the department's operations and effectiveness.

One of the key recommendations was for the police department to continue updating its strategic plan, which the department partially concurred with. They highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the re-establishment of a SWAT team and a combined effort to tackle gang violence and drug-related issues. The department is already seeing positive results from these collaborations with local and federal partners.

Another important recommendation involved developing a detailed succession plan. The department acknowledged the need for this and noted that they have created captain positions to facilitate movement within the ranks, although full implementation is projected for January 2026 due to upcoming retirements.

The CPSM also suggested a comprehensive review of department policies, which the police department agreed with, stating that about half of their policies have already been reviewed. They aim for full implementation by early 2026.

A notable point of contention arose regarding the recommendation to elevate two majors to deputy chief positions. Acting Chief Fido disagreed, explaining that the current structure allows for efficient management without the need for such changes.

The department's commitment to training was evident, as they concurred with recommendations to send sergeants and lieutenants to leadership training programs. They are already enrolled in courses at local institutions and plan to enhance their training budget for detectives.

The discussions also touched on staffing challenges, particularly in the criminal investigations unit. The department expressed a need for additional detectives and civilian investigators to support digital evidence analysis, although they did not agree with adding a civilian investigator due to the nature of the work requiring sworn officers.

As the city prepares to hire a new police chief, questions arose about how the new leadership might reassess the recommendations and the department's current strategies. City officials assured that the incoming chief would have the opportunity to review and potentially modify the management responses, fostering a collaborative approach to future changes.

Overall, the meeting underscored the police department's proactive stance in addressing the CPSM's recommendations while navigating staffing and budgetary constraints. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape the future of policing in Fort Pierce, aligning with broader community safety goals.