A law enforcement veteran with over twenty-five years of training and experience in all aspects of the job will assist the City of St Augustine in the role of interim Chief of Police according to an announcement made this morning by St Johns County Sheriff David B. Shoar.
Chief David Messenger began his new assignment today through a mutual aide relationship between the City of St Augustine Beach Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office.
“Messenger is well qualified for this position,” Sgt. Chuck Mulligan told Historic City News. “He was already responsible, in a supervisory capacity, for the entire county from SR-16 south; which includes St Augustine Beach.”
Since joining the Sheriff’s Office as a corrections deputy, Messenger transferred into the patrol division and served as a detective in the investigation division. Messenger has been promoted through the ranks; serving as sergeant, lieutenant, captain and now regional chief.
Messenger remains on the county payroll earning $84,096 each year — “No, he doesn’t also get the paycheck from the Beach,” Mulligan noted. Chief Richard Hedges continues to collect his $85,327 annual salary while he is on administrative leave.
Until the Florida Department of Law Enforcement concludes its investigation into ethical, criminal and procedural violations that have been alleged by members of the beach police department against Police Chief Richard Hedges, Messenger will remain in the interim position.
Discover more from HISTORIC CITY NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.