GROVELAND, Fla. — Groveland has selected Lt. Sammy Anderson as its new police chief, promoting a 15-year veteran of the department.
Anderson has 23 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as Groveland Police Department’s special operations lieutenant, according to the city.
Fire Chief Kevin Carroll, who served as interim public safety director following former Chief Shawn Ramsey’s departure, has been named permanent public safety director.
The city said Carroll spent weeks interviewing department employees individually and assessing the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats before preparing a recommendations report. A recurring theme was employees’ desire to see the next police chief selected from within the department.
Anderson has worked his way through the ranks during his 15 years serving Groveland, the city said.
He succeeds Ramsey, whose termination was announced to city employees Aug. 25. Deputy Chief Armando Loney served as acting police chief.
Ramsey sued the city in August in state court alleging whistleblower retaliation and filed a federal lawsuit Sept. 9 against the city, Mayor Keith Keogh, Councilman Michael Jaycox and Interim City Manager Timothy Maslow. The federal complaint alleged he was fired in retaliation for reporting suspected governmental misconduct. He is seeking damages and reinstatement as police chief.
“He was unlawfully terminated,” Ramsey’s attorney, Anthony Sabatini, told Inside Lake.
