Police Chief Palma has been a law enforcement officer for the Margate Police Department since 1995.  He attained his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University and his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.  During his tenure with the department, he has been a patrol officer, field training officer, planning and research officer, Master Patrol Officer, and Detective.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2004.  In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.  He served as the Commander of the Support Services Bureau and the Neighborhood Policing Division.  In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, where he served as the Commander of the Investigative Services Bureau, Field Services Bureau, and Support Services Bureau. Michael is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Command Officers Development School and Nova Southeastern University’s Executive Leadership program.   He was promoted to the rank of Major in May 2022 and Interim Police Chief on March 25, 2024. 

He was appointed on August 21, 2024, and sworn in as Chief of Police on September 19, 2024.