OPA-LOCKA, Fla.— Former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, who was removed from his position for the way his deputies handled the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting massacre that took the lives of 17 people and injured another 17 in 2018, has a new job.

Israel is the new police chief for the City of Opa-locka, taking over a police department, where one officer was charged in a Taser stun gun incident involving one of his colleagues.

Opa-locka City Manager Darvin Williams introduced Israel, 66, as the new police chief at a press conference on May 6 in the Auditorium at Sherbondy Village, where city commissioners hold their meetings.

Williams said Israel’s start date was May 9 and the city has yet to negotiate a contract and declined to release his annual salary.

Israel, who previously worked for the Davie Police Department, said it’s an honor to be the new police chief and he’s anxious to get to work.

He will be in charge of 467 sworn police officers.

"I look forward to the opportunity to work with one town and the system of the City of Opa-locka," Scott told a sea of reporters and cameraman. "I think I will fit in perfectly with the city and its residents. I thank God for the opportunity and I won’t let you down."

Since being removed as Broward Sheriff in 2019 by Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Israel said the decision impacted his family as well.

"My wife and my family, we have been through a lot," he said. "But I’m blessed and ready to get to work for the City of Opa-locka."

Israel was not made available for further comments as he left the building before the press conference concluded.

Williams said Israel may be available for one-on-one media interviews.

When asked why Israel didn’t answer any questions from the media, Williams said: "This story is not about Scott Israel, it’s about the City of Opalocka moving forward."

Williams said the Parkland shooting didn’t impact his decision to hire Israel.

He said among the candidates he reviewed for police chief, Israel stood out the most, bringing over 40 years of law enforcement experience to Opalocka, and agrees with his strategy to reduce the crime rate and address other challenges the city is currently facing.

"He brings a lot of history to the police force," Williams said. "He brings a lot of experience to meet the needs and concerns for the city. With his knowledge of training, he can take the police department forward, which is one of my expectations."

Williams said Israel took the job because he wants to prove that he is a good top cop and come to a city facing some challenges.

Israel will be forever linked with the Parkland shooting massacre along with former deputy Scot Peterson who was resource officer at the school on the day of the shooting and never entered the building.

He was charged with child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury.

"He [Israel] wants to prove himself of what he’s capable of doing," Williams said. "We have a great police force, we just need a steady hand to move it forward."

Israel replaces interim Police Chief Michael Steel.

Steel took over when Steven Barreira resigned as police chief after he came under fire for the way he handled the alleged Taser Stun incident involving officer Sergio Perez and Steel, who was a police officer at the time.

Though he’s facing charges, Perez has sued the City of Opa-locka after he was demoted from captain to sergeant for criticizing the police department for mismanagement.

The case is still pending.

A trial date for the stun gun incident hasn’t been set.