Longboat Key's new police chief meets the town

Russ Mager met the Longboat Key Town Commission last week, introducing himself as a “very personal person’’ who understands “my job here is to make your jobs easier.’’

Mager recently retired from the Delray Beach Police after more than 29 years. He was hired from more than 75 applicants in Longboat Key’s nationwide search to replace Chief George Turner, who left in January.

Town officials thanked Deputy Chief Frank Rubino for his role as interim leader, a role that will continue until Mager (pronounced like the military rank) begins on Aug. 4.

“I’m very big on relationships,’’ Mager said. “I’m big on working with you all. I understand the role of the commission, the elected, as well as Mr. Tipton’s city manager role.’’

Tipton said one of the key aspects of Mager’s experience was his time working in a beach community. (Delray Beach is on the Atlantic Coast in Palm Beach County.)

“Coming from a coastal community on the east coast of Florida, he has all the storm experience we hope he will never need,’’ Tipton said.

Contract negotiations with the city of Delray Beach and the union representing its officers reached an impasse earlier this year when city commissioners there did not reach an agreement on a new deal to replace one that expired in September, 2024.

The Delray Beach vice mayor recently released a statement saying, in part, “it’s cost us a chief known for his integrity, steady leadership, and lifelong commitment to public safety."

Longboat Key in 2023 ratified police and fire contracts that at the time were termed by Tipton, the “single largest investment to date” in public safety.

That agreement includes a 29.7% increase in pay for officers and a 30.1% increase for sergeants. The second and third years of the agreement allow for a 2% adjustment to account for inflation and for the salaries to remain competitive. Difficulty in hiring and retaining officers was a key factor in the contract calculations.

Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier welcomed Mager from the dais, noting the near-perfect marks the town typically receives for its first responders in annual citizen surveys.