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Miami Gardens Police Chief Announces Resignation

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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) -- Miami Gardens Chief of Police Antonio Brooklen is stepping down from his position.

Brooklen, 42, announced his resignation Thursday, saying he wanted to be closer to family while dealing with his mother's "fragile health condition."

Brooklen served Miami Gardens for nine years and was the city's top cop for about two. He has a total of 22 years as a police officer, including 13 years with Miami-Dade Police.

"I have dedicated my life to public service, while losing precious time with my four daughters and family, so I feel it is time to control of my career and its trajectory," Brooklen said in his resignation letter.

He was with the department since it started in 2007.

"The past two years serving as Interim Chief and Chief of Police for a department that I helped form, as part of the original transition team, have been some of the most rewarding years in my law enforcement career," he said.

And while he's leaving the police department, he's not leaving the city.

"I will continue to serve the city I love and the place my family still calls home from a volunteer position to ensure we continue to win."

Brooklen's last day will be October 1st and Assistant Chief Cynthia Machanic will take over as interim chief while the city finds a replacement. Machanic is a Miami Gardens native and was appointed Assistant Chief in March 2016.

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