The assistant police chief for Delray Beach will lead the department on an interim basis following the retirement of Chief Russ Mager, city officials announced June 6.
Assistant Chief Darrell Hunter will lead the department as the city begins its search to replace Mager, who on June 4 announced that he would retiring after 29 years with Delray Beach’s police force. Mager’s last day will be June 16, the city said
Hunter has been with the Delray Beach Police Department since 2007, rising to ranks of lieutenant and captain before being named assistant chief in 2021.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue to service the community I’ve worked to protect for so many years,” Hunter said. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers to ensure the safety and well-being of Delray Beach residents.
Former Delray chief says contract impasse costing city officers
Mager’s retirement comes amid staffing concerns at the city continues to negotiate a new contract with the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents Delray Beach’s police officers.
The union declared an impasse in February, a day after the city commission did not reach an agreement with the group on matters such as wages, retirement benefits and take-home vehicles. The new three-year contract would replace the one that expired last September.
Delray Beach Assistant Police Chief Darrell Hunter has been selected to become interim police chief. He will replace Chief Russ Mager, who is is retiring effective June 16, 2025.
In a May 15 letter to city officials, Mager warned that the city’s failure to approve a new union contract was fueling critical staffing shortages.
“As you all are aware we are presently losing officers,” the letter stated, putting the number of departures at 15. “With our current shortages, I have been forced to temporarily reassign officers from specialty units to include pulling from the Detective Bureau, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Motors/Traffic Unit, Problem Oriented Policing Unit and Community Policing Unit.”
In a statement announcing Hunter’s promotion, Delray Beach City Manager Terrence Moore praised Mager’s leadership.
“Chief Russ Mager has been a dedicated public servant and an integral part of the Delray Beach Police Department for nearly 30 years,” Moore said. “His leadership, integrity, and commitment to our community have left a lasting impact on our city.
Staff Writer Jasmine Fernandez contributed to this story.
Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach names interim police chief in wake of resignation