Richard R. Del Toro, Jr., has over 25 years of law enforcement experience with the Port St. Lucie Police Department and was appointed to Interim Chief of Police on May 1, 2023.  He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Police since August 2012.  Richard is a long time resident of St. Lucie County and has been married to his wife, Daniela, for the past 26 years and, together they have two beautiful daughters, Karina and Alexandria.

For the past 11 years, Richard has commanded 400 sworn/civilian personnel, over 200 volunteers, and managed an overall budget of approximately 66 million dollars. He has worked in a variety of assignments throughout his career to include road patrol, the Special Investigations Division, Internal Affairs, and as the Commander of the Professional Standards Division and S.W.A.T. Team.  Richard holds a master’s degree in public administration from Nova Southeastern University and is a graduate of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute and prestigious Southern Police Institute Administrative Officer’s Course.

Throughout his career, the City of Port St. Lucie has continuously been recognized as the “Safest Large City in the State of Florida” by having the lowest crime rate for cities with a population over 100,000 residents. Richard has implemented modern crime reduction processes and strategies to achieve the department’s mission of providing superior customer service and remaining one of America’s safest cities.  Since 2013, the crime rate within the City of Port St. Lucie has been reduced by an outstanding 25% despite increasing in population from 167,000 residents to the current population of 240,000 residents.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department has also been recognized as having the highest standards in the policing profession through the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.  In 2023, the police department was once again re-accredited, this time with “Excellence”, making the Port St. Lucie Police Department one of only 152 agencies throughout the United States to achieve this status.

Community engagement, a commitment to excellence, and being the very best public servant to his community have been the foundation for Richard’s leadership style and career.  He is extremely passionate about this community and improving the quality of life for others.  As the next Sheriff of St. Lucie County, Richard’s top priorities and vision will be implementing an overall standard of performance that will make St. Lucie County the safest county within the State of Florida and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office the premier law enforcement agency in the United States of America.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County – Past President/Board of Directors (2015-Present)
• Treasure Coast Hope for the Homeless Foundation – President/Board of Directors (2015-Present)
• Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County – Governor Appointed Council Member (2017-Present)
• St. Lucie Roundtable of St. Lucie County – Board of Directors (2023 – Present)
• The St. Lucie County Hundred Club – Board of Directors (2023 – Present)
• International Association of Chiefs of Police Community Policing Committee (2023 – Present)
• Port St. Lucie Police Athletic League – Honorary Member/Board of Directors (2013-Present)

ENDORSEMENTS:

• Lucie County Republican Executive Committee
• Florida Police Benevolent Association
• Palm Beach Police Benevolent Association
• Broward Police Benevolent Association
• South Florida Police Benevolent Association
• International Union of Police Associations
• National Association of Police Organizations
• Port St. Lucie Police Officer’s Association, Local 6015
• HISPAC – Hispanic Political Action Committee

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police – Member
• Florida Police Chief’s Association – Member
• Florida Sheriff’s Association – Member
• Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 118 – Member
• Treasure Coast Chief’s and Sheriff’s Association – Member
• Port St. Lucie Downtown Lion’s Club – Member
• The St. Lucie County Hundred Club – Member
• Florida Internal Affairs Investigators Association – Past Secretary/Treasurer
• Indian River State College – Former Adjunct Faculty Member

AWARDS:

• 2023 Command Officer of the Year – Florida Police Chiefs Association
• Congressional Award in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community – Congressman Brian Mast
• 2022 Outstanding Community Partners Award – Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Treasure Coast
• President’s Superior Community Service Award – Military Officers Association of America, Treasure Coast Chapter
• 2019 Negron Hero of Hope Award – Place of Hope Treasure Coast
• Melvin Jones Fellow Award – Lions Club International
• New Board Member of the Year – Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County
• Board Member of the Year – 211 Helpline
• Partnership Award – River of Life Fellowship Church
• Service Award – Caribbean American Cultural Group
• Life Saving Award – Port St. Lucie Police Department
• Distinguished Achievement Award – Port St. Lucie Police Department
• Civic Award – Port St. Lucie Police Department
• Commendation Award – Port St. Lucie Police Department
• Chief’s Merit Award – Port St. Lucie Police Department
• Presidential Citation – Port St. Lucie Police Department