Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, initially at the center of the investigation of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, has been fired.
City Manager, Norton Bonaparte, in a release late Wednesday said, Lee had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
“After much thoughtful discussion and deep consideration for the issues facing the City of Sanford, I have determined the Police Chief needs to have the trust and respect of the elected officials and the confidence of the entire community,” Bonaparte wrote.
Lee faced heavy criticism for the manner in which the Sanford Police Department handled the initial investigation into the fatal shooting of Martin. In March, he had stepped aside after Sanford City commissioners passed a vote of no confidence in him, but subsequently voted 3-2 to reject his resignation. But the calls for Lee’s resignation persisted.
“We need to move forward with a police chief that all the citizens of Sanford can support,” Bonaparte said yesterday in announcing Lee’s firing.
Martin, 17, an unarmed black teen, was shot and killed by self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, 28. Sanford police did not arrest Zimmerman until six week later, after a special prosecutor was appointed.
Zimmerman, who now faces second degree murder charges, has said he shot Martin in self-defense.
