Doral Police Chief Ricardo “Ricky” Gomez was fired.

“Help Wanted” sign for a new police chief.

The City of Doral has hung up a “Help Wanted” sign for a new police chief, because Former Doral Police Chief Ricardo “Ricky” Gomez was fired Tuesday morning, after he was summoned to a meeting with Acting Administrator Merret R. Stierheim.

“This decision took me by surprise,” Gomez said.

Last year, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched an investigation into Gomez after a letter to the city manager accused him of rigging bids to buy office furniture and misappropriation of taxpayer money.

The FDLE investigation determined that “Gomez may have violated policy, but committed no crimes, and cleared him of any wrongdoing in this investigation,” according to a memo released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s public corruption unit.

Lt. Miguel “Mike” Pérez was named as interim chief, said city spokeswoman Natalie French.

Gomez said he was summoned to a meeting with Acting Administrator Merret R. Stierheim.

During the election campaign for mayor of Doral, the winning candidate Luigi Boria said there would be a transition process that would include keeping Gomez and Administrator Yvonne Soler in their posts. However, last week, Soler negotiated her retirement and the city council appointed Stierheim in her place.

Before he was named chief, Gomez spent 27 years with Miami-Dade police as an investigator, lieutenant and captain, earning his law degree at the University of Miami.

Under Gomez, the department has expanded steadily- now there are 91 sworn officers- and has focused on traffic issues.

Below, you can see the memorandum for the Former Doral Police Chief Ricardo “Ricky” Gomez and the interim police chief, Lt. Miguel Perez:

Memorandum for the Former Doral Police Chief Ricardo “Ricky” Gomez 

Memorandum for to the interim police chief, Lt. Miguel Perez: