When Sebastian Police Chief Michelle Morris retires this year, she will be replaced with a 21-year veteran of the department, Capt. Daniel Acosta.
The City announced the appointment this week.
Currently, Capt. Acosta serves as the Operations Captain, which includes Road Patrol, the Criminal Investigations Division, the Communications Center, School Resource Officers, Community Policing Enforcement (COPE), the Special Response Team, and the Volunteer Program.
Chief Morris, a 33-year veteran of the department has spent the last 10 years in the top post. She retires effective May, 8, which will be Acosta’s first day as Chief.
“We are fortunate to have such dedicated personnel such as Captain Acosta and are looking forward to him starting his official position as the Police Chief,” wrote City Manager Paul Carlisle in an email announcing the appointment sent to City staff.
Acosta’s career began in 1995 with his attendance at the Police Academy in Brevard County and subsequent employment with the Fellsmere Police Department. He joined the Sebastian Police Department in 1999. He has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, tactical member of the Special Response Team, Hostage Negotiator, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, and Support Services Commander, according to Carlisle.
He obtained an Associate in Science degree for Criminal Justice from Brevard Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration from Barry University, and recently earned a Master of Public Administration from Barry University. Captain Acosta is also a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course, class #140 among several other leadership courses.
