From [HERE] An interim chief has been hired to lead the police department in Sanford, Fla., where the chief stepped aside amid criticism over his handling of the Trayvon Martin case.

The interim chief, Richard W. Myers, a former police chief in Colorado Springs, was hired after a national search that began in March. Mr. Myers will take over the chief’s duties by the end of the week, the city said in a statement on Tuesday.

The department has been led for the last month by Capt. Darren Scott, who served as acting chief after Chief Bill R. Lee Jr. stepped aside on March 22.

“We thank Captain Scott for his service to the city during these tumultuous times,” Norton N. Bonaparte Jr., the city manager, said in a statement. “He has been an exemplary leader. The city welcomes the leadership of Interim Chief Myers.”

Last week, a deal fell through for Chief Lee to resign. He had reached an agreement with Mr. Bonaparte to do so, but the City Commission voted 3 to 2 to reject his resignation. After the vote, Mayor Jeff Triplett said he wanted to review the findings of an independent investigation before deciding about the chief’s resignation.

Chief Lee will remain on paid administrative leave while the investigation into the handling of the Martin case continues.

The police department received criticism from across the country after it did not immediately arrest George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, for shooting and killing Mr. Martin on Feb. 26. Mr. Martin, 17, had been walking through a gated development where Mr. Zimmerman lived.

Mr. Zimmerman was charged on April 11 with second-degree murder in the death of Mr. Martin and was released last week on a $150,000 bond.

Mr. Myers, the interim chief, has worked in law enforcement for 35 years, most recently as a consultant. In addition to being the police chief in Colorado Springs, he worked as the police chief for departments in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.