First they wanted him, then they didn’t, now they want him again. Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee tried to quit today, and failed.
The Sanford City Commission rejected his resignation in a 3-2 vote, with some officials deeming it the result of political pressure from City Manager Norton Bonaparte.
The embattled police chief stepped down temporarily in March after facing an onslaught of criticism for not making an arrest much earlier in the Trayvon Martin shooting case. At the time, city leaders issued an official vote of “no confidence.”
“City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. and Chief Lee had reached an agreement which needed City Commission approval,” stated a press release from city officials. “The Chief went on Administrative Leave status a month ago in an effort to aid in restoring calm to the City in the wake of protests surrounding the Trayvon Martin investigation.”
Lee will now remain on paid leave while the investigation continues into the death of the unarmed teenager, with Captain Darren Scott filling in as top cop.
This comes on the same day Trayvon Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman, slipped out of jail on $150,000 bail as he awaits his second-degree murder trial.
Sarah Muller