Outgoing Miami Police Chief John Timoney has been around the block a few times, as an NYPD cop and police chief in Philadelphia, so he doesn't view getting squeezed out of his job as an indictment on his accomplishments.
"A new mayor comes in, there are going to be changes. Everybody kind of understands that," Timoney said last night, in his first public comments since announcing his resignation as Miami's top cop earlier this week.
It was no secret that new Mayor Tomas Regalado wanted Timoney out, making it one of his rallying cries in his race against opponent Joe Sanchez.
So is Timoney angry at the way things played out?
"Oh no! No, no. Not at all! Not at all! I had a great seven-year run. No, there is nothing to be angry about," Timoney said. "I'm pleased with what we've done here. Proud of what we've done. Not even slightly - no, that's - no."
Though Timoney beat Regalado to the punch by resigning the night before the new mayor took office, Timoney said he didn't necessarily want to stay on board anyway.
"A new mayor comes in, new mayor wants a new team. And that's fine. There's no problem there," Timoney said.
So what is Timoney most proud of in his seven years at the top?
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"Oh, clearly, the reduction in police shootings, which in every city is a thorny issue," Timoney said. "Because it can lead to a whole host of things, including poisoning police-community relations. That's number one."
Timoney said he's also proud of the overall 30 percent drop in crime, a greater community respect for Miami police officers and a clean bill of health on civil rights from the U.S. Justice Department.
"And so for us to get out from under the consent decree - to be the first police department - that was huge," Timoney said. "And it was a tribute to the men and woman of the police department, that worked their tails off, that got it, that understood we had to straighten our own ship, and did it."
Timoney's tenure wasn't all smooth. He was dogged by allegations he accepted free use of a Lexus, and was reprimanded. And despite the controversy surrounding his officers during the FTAA riots, Timoney stood by his men.
It's been a tough few days for the 61-year-old Irish-born cop, but he's not letting anything get to him.
"I feel good. We feel, myself and our team, we've done I think a very good job over the past seven years," Timoney said. "We've accomplished everything we set out to accomplish. So I'm feeling very good about it."
