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St. Cloud Police Chief Pete Gauntlett will wrap up a 41-year law enforcement career when he retires Dec. 31. PHOTO/CITY OF ST. CLOUD
St. Cloud Police Chief Pete Gauntlett, who has held that post since March 2010, revealed at Thursday night’s City Council meeting that he will be retiring from the St. Cloud Police Department effective Dec. 31, 2021.
He said the remainder of the year will be used to transition to a new administration.
“I want to thank the Council and the community for their ongoing support. When we see the ‘Back the Blue’ signs, it means a lot to our staff,” Gauntlett said. “Their dedication and hard work have maintained our city as a safe city.
Gauntlett came to St. Cloud from the Orlando Police Department, where he served for 28 years through 2008. All told, has been in law enforcement for 41 years.
“It has been an incredible journey. My wife Margaret has had my back – in police work we call it, ‘We have your Six’ -- throughout this entire process,” he said. “I wanted to officially tell Council, some of our staff members and those in the community. I’m honored, but it is a new journey. I look forward to Jan. 1 when I pass the torch to a very capable police chief to be selected.”
Gauntlett lauded his department of some 150 employees.
“We have done some amazing innovations, thanks to the talent in the room. I was the visionary, but they were the engine that moved the ship,” he said. “The way we do business now has to be precise.”
City leaders, taken aback, also offered thanks for Gauntlett’s leadership.
Mayor Nathan Blackwell called his announcement, “Certainly sad for our council and city.”
“I think the innovations you’ve made in our city have caused other agencies to come look what happen. That reflects on you and your team. I want to thank you for the incredible job you’ve done in leading and developing an excellent team,” Blackwell said.
Council member Keith Trace he “applauds (Gauntlett) for raising the bar on your team,” and Linette Matheny said “You’ve made this the top notch agency in the area.”
City Manager Bill Sturgeon, the city’s Fire Chief before moving to City Hall, stood on the same front lines with Gauntlett in St. Cloud.
“You’re a trusted friend, a colleague, and a trusted advisor,” Sturgeon said. “I’m going to miss you leadership.”
