Taking the helm Monday of the Miami-Dade Police Department, interim director James Loftus said his biggest challange will be tackling the budget.

County Mayor Carlos Alvarez named Loftus on Friday after former Director Robert Parker retired.

``We have a union that is at impasse,'' Loftus told reporters Monday afternoon. ``I get the labor picture. I certainly think I get the management picture, and I'm willing to dig in with the PBA and do anything we can to get resolution.''

The county and police union have been negotiating for 15 months.

``I would love to sit down with Loftus and come up with some creative ideas,'' said John Rivera, the PBA president.

-- JENNIFER LEBOVICH

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