Evander Collier IV out of Jacksonville, Florida has been selected to serve the residents of Cocoa as the next Chief of Police. Collier who has served in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for over thirty years in various leadership roles, including as an Assistant Chief of Police, began in his new role on April 29, 2021 and was officially sworn in by Cocoa Mayor Michael C. Blake. Collier has held a progression of leadership roles and has command level training. His experience has included time with the homicide, burglary, community-oriented policing, and violent crimes divisions.
“I am pleased to announce the selection of Evander Collier IV as the next Chief of Police for the City of Cocoa. His extensive knowledge and experience in an urban community such as Jacksonville will help him excel in his new role here in Cocoa. His leadership in and experience with community-oriented policing will be key to serving the residents of Cocoa,” said Cocoa City Manager Stockton Whitten.
A national recruitment process was initiated in October 2020 with the retirement of Chief Michael Cantaloupe at the end of the year. Over eighty applications were received for the position. A screening committee comprised of a diverse group of Cocoa citizens and business owners scanned through and dwindled down the pool of qualified candidates to five. Those five candidates came to Cocoa and participated in two public forums where citizens were able to ask questions to learn more about them and to interview with the City Manager.
“The process to select Cocoa’s next Police Chief has been expansive, fair and transparent and I am thrilled with the input we received from the community throughout. I look forward to welcoming our newest Cocoa resident, Mr. Collier to serve our great community,” said Mayor Michael C. Blake.
Information on the recruitment and selection process can be found on the City’s website at https://www.cocoafl.org/1588/Police-Chief-Recruitment-Process including a link to the top five candidate’s resumes.
A public swearing-in ceremony and meet and greet is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 6pm at Cocoa City Hall.
