VERO BEACH – After nearly 35 years on the job, Vero Beach Police Chief Don Dappen will retire Dec. 1, three years sooner than he’d hoped. A hearing scheduled for Wednesday with Dappen and his attorney before City Manager Jim O’Connor and City Attorney Wayne Coment has been canceled.
O’Connor had said last week that his office was the last stop for any objection Dappen had to the decision that it’s time for him to step down.
“Any appeal would be with me,” O’Connor said.
Unlike the city’s three charter offices of the city manager, city clerk and city attorney, department heads and other employees are under the authority of the city manager and do not have the right to appeal via public hearing directly to the City Council.
Citing differences in management styles nearly three weeks ago, O’Connor asked Dappen to retire by that date.
When Dappen refused to comply with announcing his departure, O’Connor on Friday placed the Chief on paid administrative leave for five days, pending termination. The city’s policy provides for a five-day window during which an employee may appeal such a decision.
Dappen, through his attorney Louis B. “Buck” Vocelle, came to an agreement Monday with O’Connor and City Attorney Coment over the retirement.
O’Connor said Monday evening that Dappen would soon put in writing his intention to retire on Dec. 1.
At this point, Dappen is not required to resume his duties at the Vero Beach Police Department during the next three weeks.
Deputy Chief David Currey has already been appointed as interim police chief.
The decision has yet to be made whether Currey will step up to assume the position permanently, whether someone will be moved up from within the ranks or whether a new police chief will be recruited from outside the city.
