City of Miami Gardens police chief suddenly resigns
In a move that has taken city officials and residents by surprise, Antonio Brooklen, Police Chief of the City of Miami Gardens announced his resignation last week. In his letter of resignation which takes effect on Oct 1, Brooklen, who was sworn as that city’s top cop just 10-months ago, said the reason was to allow him to spend more time with his family. However, there are undercurrent allegations of a lawsuit against the chief that may have influenced his decision.
The City’s Assistant Chief of Police Cynthia Mechanic has been named Interim Police Chief, until a new chief is appointed.
Miami Gardens community activist Cecilia Lewin said she is “flabbergasted” by Brooklen’s sudden resignation. “He has been leading the department for the past two years and seemed very motivated and interested in his leading the police department. I don’t know if the pressures of the job got to him eventually.”
Brooklen was the third police chief to serve the city in three years. In 2013 former chief Matthew Boyd resigned, and was succeeded by Chief Stephen Johnson who was terminated after also serving about 10 months. Brooklen was appointed as interim chief to replace Johnson in February 2015, and confirmed as police chief last December.
Father Horace Ward, rector of the Holy Family Episcopal Church in Miami Gardens, and member of the city’s Community Advisory Committee, which also includes the police chief, expressed surprise as well at Brooklen’s sudden resignation. “I never saw a resignation coming. I thought his appointment was a good choice, and believed he was doing a good job.”
Father Ward said he doubts Brooklen’s resignation is due to pressures arising from crime in the city. “I think crime in the city is under control, and not worse than neighboring cities like North Miami and North Miami Beach.” He also expressed confidence in the future leadership of the police department under Interim Chief Mechanic.
“I know Assistant Chief Mechanic, who resides in the city,” Ward said, “and find her a very competent officer respected by the police department and residents of the community. I find her to be a people person, who has a good rapport with her department and the community. The department will be in good hands with Interim Chief Mechanic.”
Brooklen has served some 22-years in the police force. Prior to joining the City of Miami Gardens Police Department, when it was created in 2007, he was with the Miami-Dade Police Department.
In his resignation letter, Brooklen referred to wanting to spend “precious time” with his ailing mother, four daughters and family. He said his two years serving as Interim Chief and Chief of Police of Miami Gardens Police Department were among “the most rewarding years in my law enforcement career.”
Efforts to contact the office of City Mayor Oliver Gilbert for comment on a reported sexual harassment lawsuit against Brooklen were unsuccessful.
