MOUNT DORA, Fla. – The City of Mount Dora is seeing a change in leadership within its police department. Last week, Police Chief Brett Meade resigned because of differences in leadership. It’s a change that many residents aren’t happy about.

What You Need To Know

  • Last week, Mount Dora Police Chief Brett Meade resigned due to leadership differences

  • Many residents online and at Tuesday's City Council meeting are frustrated with another change in leadership, pointing towards the city's management

  • Spectrum News 13 requested all communication between Mount Dora's City Manager and now-Former Police Chief. The city has confirmed they've received the request.

One by one, residents of Mt. Dora are speaking out and standing in solidarity with Meade.

"Someplace special. Without Brett Meade it is not someplace special. He has played a part in the someplace special," said Minister Lillie Taylor, a lifelong Mt. Dora resident.

Meade became chief in July 2020. Since then many residents say he’s improved the training of officers, as well as worked to build trust within the black and brown community.

"I just hate that this cycle keeps happening. It seems like every 2-3 years we’re having to start over from scratch. And I’m tired, I’m tired," said Rev. Bobby Rowe.

Rev. Rowe was working with Meade on building that trust. But with a new chief, comes uncertainty, not just for residents, but for men and women in uniform.

"Every time there’s a transition with a major member of administration, it’s like losing a parent," said Michael J. Saxe, a chaplain for Clermont and Mount Dora Police.

The sudden resignation left many people confused as to why it happened. Just last year, the Mount Dora fire chief resigned. Resident, Rozann Abato, looks towards city administration for the reason.

"Much of the written information I gathered is very revealing. It appears he was threatened with termination, in writing, twice in less than 24 hours. Is it any surprise he resigned," said Abato.

She goes on to give more examples on how Mount Dora City Manager Patrick C. Comiskey, who was present at Tuesday’s meeting, may be a factor in a larger issue within the city. 

"This debacle raises other management related issues. For example, the city has no finance director, no public works director, and no permanent fire chief despite the fact that interim chief rich loewer has been in that role for months. Is there an end in sight and who is running this show," said Abato.

Spectrum News 13 reached out to Comiskey on the recent event and he sent us back a statement that read:

"On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, I received and accepted the resignation of Police Chief Brett Meade. The decision to resign was unilaterally made by former Chief Meade. As you all know, the former Chief was very visible in our community and scored high marks for attending festivals, events, and meetings with civic groups, as well as engaging with local citizens and business owners. We appreciate his service to our community, and we wish him well as he enters the next chapter of his life”

Spectrum News 13 also submitted a FOIA request, asking for all communications between Comiskey and Meade in the last year. They have confirmed receiving the request.