East Volusia News

Today, Feb. 3, is Chief of Police Mike Coffin's final day on duty after eight years of service with the New Smyrna Beach Police Department.

“As I look forward to the next chapter in my career, I will always count the time as Chief of Police here as some of the best years of my life,” wrote Coffin in his retirement letter to City Manager Khalid Resheidat last November. “I am honored to have worked alongside of some of the best that this profession has to offer and I am confident that they will continue to provide the high level of service that our citizens and visitors have come to expect.”

“We thank Chief Coffin for his years of service to New Smyrna Beach and wish him success in his future endeavors,” said Resheidat. “His commitment to our community and efforts to lead a department that values transparency and accountability have been second to none.”

Resheidat added that, “Deputy Chief Eric Feldman will serve as Interim Police Chief to ensure a smooth transition.” 

Notable accomplishments under Coffin’s leadership include:

• Developing and implementing an intelligence-led policing program that resulted in a six-year decline in crime
• Solving the 27-year-old cold case homicide of Whitney Gunn
• Embracing restorative justice by being one of the top agencies in the state for issuance of civil citations to juvenile offenders
• Being the first agency in Volusia County to require all sworn personnel to use body-worn cameras, including command staff, detectives, and SWAT
• Reducing the use of force through mandatory crisis intervention, de-escalation, and Autism awareness training for all sworn staff
• Achieving state accreditation and re-accreditation twice
• Creating a Homeless Outreach Team to address homeless and disadvantaged communities
• Implementing the K9 for a Day program resulting in a near 100% adoption rate for featured Southeast Volusia Humane Society animals
• Implementing a Christmas holiday Shop-with-a-Cop program

Would you like to know more? Please visit the NSBPD's page to learn more about available services, how to join the force, the five phases of its FY 2022-24 Strategic Plan, and more. 

Original source can be found here.