Meet the 5 finalists for vacant Riviera police chief job
RIVIERA BEACH — Riviera Beach is expected to select a new police chief in February. City Manager Jonathan Evans, who will make the hire after a national search, is looking for a successor to Nathan Osgood.
Osgood resigned last year after a pair of reviews found he did not follow protocol during the arrest and release of city council member Douglas Lawson. The former chief is now suing the city, alleging that it is refusing to provide him with text messages he says would show he did act properly.
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Joshua Lewis has served as interim chief since April. He is one of five candidates vying to be named permanent chief. Here is a little about each candidate:
Joshua Lewis: Interim chief is 26-year veteran of department
Currently the interim chief, Lewis is a 26-year veteran of the department who has served as special operations commander, a position where he oversaw the traffic, community-oriented policing, marine, K9, bike and nuisance-abatement units. He also served as the department's public information officer. Once a nationally ranked racquetball player, Lewis enjoys traveling to the Florida Keys, jet skiing and other water activities.
Michael Coleman: Twenty years in Delray Beach Police Department
Coleman is the executive director of Roots and Wings, a nonprofit children's literacy group based in Delray Beach. Coleman worked for the Delray Beach Police Department for 20 years and served as the city's director of neighborhood and community services before resigning in 2019. He is a combat veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War. Coleman enjoys horses and watching them train.
Thomas Herion: Police chief in suburban Chicago city
Herion is the chief of police for Lyons, a village of about 11,000 residents located 14 miles southwest of Chicago. Herion's family has an extensive history in law enforcement. His father led the Chicago Police Department's organized crime unit. An avid sports fan, Herion is part of a bagpipe band that performs for first responders and military service members who die in the line of duty.
Travis Walker: A major in the Riviera Beach Police Department
Walker is a major in the Riviera Beach Police Department, where he has worked for more than two decades. During his time in the department, Walker has worked as a road patrol officer and as a vice unit member, where he served on a variety of federal, state and county task forces. Walker has served on the department's special response team since 2006 and has risen to become its assistant commander. He enjoys working out to stay fit and spending time with friends and family.
Robin Starks: A major in Miami Gardens Police Department
Starks is a major in the Miami Gardens police department, where she oversees its Operations Division. Operations is the largest division in the department and includes uniform patrol, K-9, motors, school crossing guards and resource officers, traffic enforcement, community enrichment, bike detail, Police Athletic League, Explorer Post and the Honor Guard detail. Starks has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, which includes 27 years with the Miami Police Department and a stint as chief of public safety at Miami Dade College's Kendall campus. Starks is a member of a variety of law-enforcement organizations and officiates basketball games.
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter @waynewashpbpost. Help support our work; subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Riviera Beach will choose new police chief from five finalists
