Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2025-22 Resolution Supporting Chief Bage for International Association of Chiefs of Police — reading text

RESOLUTION 2025- 22 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING FORT WALTON BEACH POLICE CHIEF ROBERT BAGE' S CANDIDACY FOR THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE ( IACP); AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police ( IACP) is the world' s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, with more than 35, 000 members in over 170 countries, and is recognized globally for advancing safer communities through progressive police leadership and research; and WHEREAS, Chief Robert Bage has served as Chief of Police for the City of Fort Walton Beach since 2019 and has been an active member in good standing with the IACP since 2017; and WHEREAS, Chief Bage currently serves as a member of the IACP Board of Directors and as the Florida Representative to the State Association of Chiefs of Police (SACOP) Division of the IACP since 2022; and WHEREAS, Chief Bage was elected to serve as President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association ( FPCA) for the term June 2025 through June 2026; and WHEREAS, Chief Bage has twice been appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, has been appointed by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to the Immigration Council, and serves as a member of the State of Florida' s Infrastructure Protection Group; and WHEREAS, Chief Bage previously served on the State of Florida' s Domestic Security Task Force and has collaborated with governmental and community partners to address pressing public health and safety challenges, including the opioid crisis and affordable housing; and WHEREAS, Chief Bage has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving public safety, health, and welfare in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, and across the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, in consultation with City officials, Chief Bage intends to declare his candidacy for IACP 4th Vice President, a member of the Executive Board that ascends to the chair of IACP President in October of 2025, with the election to be held at the IACP Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, in October 2026; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to endorse and support Chief Bage in his candidacy and prospective service on the IACP Executive Board beginning October 2026 and culminating in a term as President from October 2030 through October 2031; and  RESOLUTION 2025- 22 WHEREAS, the City recognizes that the opportunity for Fort Walton Beach to be represented on an international platform, advancing and influencing law enforcement policy both domestically and globally, will benefit the City, the State of Florida, and society as a whole; and WHEREAS, the City acknowledges that reasonable time spent by Chief Bage engaged in IACP campaign activities and official duties shall be considered official City business; and WHEREAS, the IACP Constitution provides that service on the IACP Executive Board is not compensated, and the City will continue to compensate Chief Bage at his regular salary during his campaign and service to the IACP while he continues to fulfill his duties as Chief of Police; and WHEREAS, the IACP Rules and Policy Manual provides that the IACP will pay all reasonable travel expenses associated with Executive Board service, if elected; and WHEREAS, the IACP has established official election rules, including deadlines, contributions, campaign expenditures, and financial reporting requirements, with which Chief Bage will comply; and WHEREAS, the IACP is a professional association, not a political organization, and the campaign, activities, and service are not political in nature and do not conflict with City, State, or Federal laws governing public employees. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: That the City Council hereby endorses and authorizes Chief Robert Bage to declare, campaign, and, if elected, serve on the Executive Board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police IACP). This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption by City Council and signature of the Mayor. Adopted: VC4-0Iper 114 ( Nic All _ retto, Mayo Attest: Approved as o legal form and sufficiency 010 WA <<„ e Ci f F rt Wa • n Beach, only. Ok aft. I_ Kim M. rnes, City Clerk s' t' • u: s, Attorney FLORIDA