Lady Lake swore in a new police chief Monday night before the town commission.
Police Chief Robert Tempesta, a veteran of the Lady Lake Police Department, took the oath and now steps up to the town’s top law enforcement job.
His mother, Marie Tempesta, was in the front row to see her only child take the oath. She moved to Lady Lake about four years ago from New York. She said her son always wanted to be police officer.
He was appreciative of his many colleagues from the Lady Lake Police Department, whose members packed the commission chambers for the swearing-in ceremony. He also thanked his wife who he described as his “rock.” She held the Bible as he took the oath. The couple’s three children sat in the front row.
Tempesta has worked for the town for 14 years, starting as a patrol officer and working his way through the ranks of the department to include detective, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and interim police chief. Prior to that, he worked as a police officer in New York City.
He said he and his wife “took a chance” when they decided 15 years ago to move from New York to Lady Lake.
Tempesta has served as interim police chief since Lady Lake Police Chief Chris McKinstry abruptly resigned in December.