Search for new Miami Beach police chief narrowed to four [UPDATE x1]

UPDATED: The Miami Herald's David Smiley Tweets "city's HR director told me tonight list still at 12."

Call it the Final Four.

Miami Beach is one step closer to hiring a new top cop for its embattled police department.

Random Pixels has learned that there are four finalists in contention to be Miami Beach's next police chief.

Two panels interviewed a slate of 11 candidates this week and selected four to go on to the next stage of the selection process.

They are:

Frank G. Fernandez, former deputy chief under Chief John Timoney

Thomas Hunker, Bal Harbour Police Chief

Mark Overton, Hialeah Police Chief

Raymond Martinez, Miami Beach Police Asst. Police Chief who is now acting Miami Beach Police Chief

The four finalists will now meet with a third selection panel whose members include Miami-Dade Police Director James Loftus, Miami Beach attorney Victor Diaz, Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Jose Smith, Miami Beach City Attorney.

The panel is scheduled to interview the four on Feb. 22 and send their recommendation to Miami Beach City Manager Jorge Gonzalez.