Updated at 1:40 p.m. with comment from City Manager Curry and resignation letter from Chief Scott

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Police Chief Lonnie Scott Sr. announced this morning that he will be resigning “in lieu of termination.”

The resignation is effective March 29, and Assistant Chief Nelson Moya will serve as Interim Chief while a national search is conducted.

Scott sent his resignation letter to City Manager Cynthia Curry this morning, stating, “You offered me the opportunity to submit my resignation in lieu of immediate termination and I requested the weekend to decide. After considering the alternatives, I have elected to submit my resignation. Nevertheless, I remain unclear as to why you believe this is necessary.” Scott went on to highlight actions he has recently taken that he believes will “bear fruit in the near future” and requested six weeks’ severance pay.

In her memorandum accepting Scott’s resignation, Curry wrote that she had “decided it is time to move the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) in a different direction.” She concluded, “We are grateful to Chief Scott for his years of service to the people of Gainesville and wish him the best in all future endeavors.”

In a statement released to the media, Curry wrote, “Chief Scott’s departure follows months of deliberation by the City Manager over the current state of the Gainesville Police Department. The past year has been marked by challenges related to issues around internal and external communication, employee morale, and staffing shortages.”

“I do not hold Chief Scott solely responsible,” said City Manager Curry. “These challenges are not unique to GPD. However, my level of confidence in his ability at this point in time is not sufficient to allow him to continue in this role. The evolution and growth of this agency, which is critical to the safety of our community, requires change in the form of fresh perspective and new leadership.”

Read Chief Scott’s resignation letter and Manager Curry’s response here.