Miami Beach police names new deputy chief

Miami Beach Police Chief Dan Oates has tapped one of his own to be his deputy.

Major Richard Clements was sworn in as the department’s new deputy chief at Wednesday’s City Commission meeting.

He succeeds Lauretta Hill, who is going back to her home state, Texas, to head the Dallas County Community College District’s police department.

Clements has been with the Beach force for 25 years. He was most recently the commanding officer of the Investigations and Support Division, where he oversaw all training, technical support, recruitment and hiring, criminal investigations, narcotics and vice operations and other areas. He also spent 16 years on the Beach’s SWAT team.

Clements holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Utah.

Oates told the large crowd of city officials and officers gathered for the swearing-in that Clements’ appointment marks the first time someone from the inside the department has been promoted to the position in about 12 years.

“I’m so pleased to be able to appoint Rick to be our new deputy chief,” he said.

After the ceremony Wednesday, Clements said he was grateful for the opportunity, which was still sinking in.

“It’s been a whirlwind the past few days since I got the call,” he said.

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 8:38 PM with the headline "Miami Beach police names new deputy chief."