Lance Blanchette Selected as New Flagler Beach Police Chief

Lance Blanchette was officially appointed Flagler Beach Police Chief on Thursday. City Manager Dale Martin appointed Blanchette, who succeeded retired Chief Matt Doughney. Ever since Doughney retired in early January, Blanchette has been on the job as acting chief. His appointment received the endorsement of the Flagler Beach City Commission, as well as Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly and other key community leaders. "With over 32 years of progressively responsible law enforcement leadership experience, along with my academic credentials, specialized training, and a demonstrated commitment to modern, community-focused policing, I am confident I meet and exceed all the criteria outlined in the job posting," Blanchette wrote in his job application. Prior to being appointed police chief, Blanchette served as deputy chief under Matt Doughney. He was also a captain at the Daytona Beach Police Department, where he worked alongside Doughney prior to their respective moves to Flagler Beach. Blanchette emerged from a group of 30 applicants for the police chief job. Other applicants included former Bunnell police officer Anthony Raimondo, St. Louis Police Sergeant Edward Fingers, and West Miami Police Chief Pedro Delgado. Experience and Recommendations According to his resume, Blanchette has also worked as an adjunct law enforcement instructor at Daytona State College since 2018. In 2014, 20 years into his law enforcement career, he obtained his Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida. Letters of recommendation for Blanchette were provided by a host of the area's civic leaders. These include Flagler Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Flagler Beach Library Director Melissa Parish, and the Flagler Beach Law Enforcement Association Local 6096. Both Blanchette and Doughney made over $100,000 in compensation for their previous positions, making them among the highest-paid employees of the City of Flagler Beach. Blanchette rose to deputy chief in 2018. High Praise for Lance Blanchette "I offer my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation for Deputy Chief Blanchette as I have seen his exceptional leadership qualities, unwavering integrity, and profound dedication to public service enhancing community relations during his eight-year tenure with the Flagler Beach Police Department serving as a supportive leader in his role as Deputy Chief," Sheriff Staly wrote. "We have collaborated during multiple hurricane activations and throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency," wrote Jonathan Lord. "These were demanding and high-stakes situations that required clear decision making, effective communication, and close coordination across agencies. In each instance, Deputy Chief Blanchette demonstrated a steady, professional approach that contributed to the overall effectiveness of our community's response."