The Wildwood Commission is prepared to ink a deal with an interim police chief after the abrupt resignation of Chief of Police Paul Valentino.
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday to consider a short-term contract with Paul Sireci, who served for 15 years as director of public safety and security at Tampa International Airport. He is currently senior vice president at Discrete Consulting Inc., also based in Tampa. From March to June of this year, Sireci served as interim police chief in Brooksville. His LinkedIn profile notes that he has four grandchildren.
Sireci would start as interim police chief on Jan. 1, according to the contract to be considered on Monday by Wildwood commissioners. He will receive a bi-weekly salary of $3,750 and will have access to a City of Wildwood-owned automobile. He will receive no benefits.
“He is aware that the position of interim police chief may be very short term,” the contract says. It also says Sireci is not guaranteed long-term employment.
Whether Sireci has any interest in the job beyond interim police chief remains to be seen.
His recent work history suggests that he might come in and clean up the messy aftermath of Valentino’s sudden departure, as well as the departure of two of Wildwood’s other highest-ranking police officers. Sireci may be more of a fixer than a finalist for the position, clearing the deck for a new chief.
