The New Smyrna Beach Police Department will be in search of new leadership next year, thanks to an announcement from Chief Eric Feldman that he'd be resigning effective March 1st, 2025. The decision will end Feldman's four-year tenure with New Smyrna Beach's city law enforcement operation.
“The culture we have built—a culture of trust, respect, and mutual support—has become our hallmark," Feldman said in an email to the employees under his purview. "It is evident in the way we rally around one another during tough times, our collective belief in 'people first, mission always,' and the shared commitment to living out our values every day. This culture did not happen by chance; it is a testament to your hard work and dedication.”
Between now and his resignation date, Feldman will help the city ensure a smooth transition as they begin to search for his successor according to an official news release. He will work to '[ensure] continuity and [finalize] ongoing initiatives', the city says.
Feldman will be leaving in order to begin a career in the private sector. He started out in law enforcement in 1997 working as an agent with the United States Border Patrol, before being promoted within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the HSI Attaché to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland. He has also worked as an adjunct cybersecurity professor at George Mason University and as a law enforcement coach and Performance Protocol.
After that, Feldman joined the City of New Smyrna Beach as Deputy Chief of Police in August 2021, before becoming Interim Chief of Police in February 2023. In May 2023 he was made Chief of Police, a post he's held ever since. While with the federal government Feldman obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Understanding and Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University, and he completed a Master's Degree in Public Safety Leadership from Liberty University in May 2024.
