Clearwater City Manager Jennifer Poirrier has named Eric Gandy, former deputy chief and current director of the city’s Marine and Aviation Department, as the next police chief, the Clearwater Police Department announced Wednesday in a press release
Gandy, 56, joined the police department in 1991. He was a patrol major when he was promoted to deputy chief in 2017. He retired from the agency in February 2022 and became director of the city’s navy and aviation the following month.
“I look forward to leading a forward-looking and well-respected police department and employees dedicated to public safety and the citizens we serve,” he said in the press release. “For three decades, the city and department provided me with the opportunity and support necessary to develop and succeed. I am committed to doing the same for CPD employees and our future leadership.”
Gandy replaces Dan Slaughter, who left the department earlier this year to become Clearwater’s assistant city manager after nine years as police chief. Deputy Chief Michael Walek has served as interim chief since Slaughter’s departure. He will resume his role as deputy chief after Gandy begins his term on July 29. Gandy will also be sworn in July 31 during a Clearwater City Council work session.
“Eric’s reputation in the law enforcement community, among city staff and our community makes him the ideal choice for police chief,” Poirrier said in the news release. “In his more than 30 years of service to the police department and his most recent role as director of the marine and aviation department, Eric has demonstrated an affinity for problem solving and attention to detail. His work ethic, experience and dedication will be a compliment to an already exemplary senior executive team.”
Previously, retired police and fire employees could not collect both a salary and a pension if they were rehired at their agencies, though the rule did not apply if they were hired for other city positions. On June 8, the City Council amended an ordinance, making an exception so that retired employees of those agencies could continue to collect retirement benefits if they were rehired as chiefs.
Although Poirrier said he did not propose the policy change “with anyone in mind,” the change allows Gandy to continue to collect his police pension and a city salary, as he did during his time as director of navy and city aviation.
In this position, Gandy has been drawing a salary of $127,666, as well as a pension. The city’s salary range for police chief is $127,844 to $204,550, city spokeswoman Heather Parsons previously told the Tampa Bay Times. City officials immediately responded to an inquiry about Gandy’s salary as police chief.
