CNN reports that Sanford police chief Bill Lee is stepping down “temporarily” while the federal probe into his police department’s corrupt cover up of Trayvon Martin case continues.
“I am aware that my role as a leader of this agency has become a distraction from the investigation,” he told reporters. “It is apparent that my involvement in this matter is overshadowing the process. Therefore, I have come to the decision that I must temporarily remove myself from the position.”
He added, “I do this in the hopes of restoring some semblance of calm to the city, which has been in turmoil for several weeks.”
NAACP President Ben Jealous said Lee’s stepping aside is not enough. “Parents don’t feel that their children will be safe with Lee heading the police department,” he said. “He needs to go right now.”
