About:

Richard R. Del Toro, Jr., has over 22 years of law enforcement experience with the Port St. Lucie Police Department and was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief of Police in August 2012.  He is a long time resident of St. Lucie County and has been married to his wife, Daniela, for the past 23 years. Together, they have two beautiful daughters, Karina and Alexandria.

For the past 8 years as Assistant Chief of Police, Richard has commanded 333 sworn/civilian personnel, over 200 volunteers, and managed an overall budget of approximately 52 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 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 in order to achieve the department’s mission of providing superior customer service and remaining one of America’s safest cities.  Since 2012, the crime rate within the City of Port St. Lucie has been reduced by an outstanding 49%.

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 2020, 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.  Currently, he proudly serves as the Immediate Past President of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Lucie County and President of the Treasure Coast Hope for the Homeless Foundation. In 2017, he was appointed by then Governor Rick Scott to serve as a Council Member on the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County.

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.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Lowest crime rate in the State of Florida with a population over 100,00 residents from 2010 to present. Since becoming Assistant Chief of Police in 2012, the crime rate has been reduced by 49%.
• Exercised executive command of 333 sworn/civilian personnel and over 200 volunteers.
• Managed an annual budget of approximately 52 million dollars.
• Attained accreditation through both the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation by developing and implementing contemporary policies and procedures, using analysis of organizational data for the purpose of public safety improvement, and having a process for continuous organizational improvement.
• The police department averaged approximately 100,000 calls for police service, while maintaining the lowest crime rate in Florida with a population over 100,000 residents.
• Planned and implemented a department wide reorganization that improved efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating unnecessary management positions and reallocating personnel to officer and detective positions. The reorganization reduced the hierarchy of the organization from six levels to five resulting in improved efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, cost savings, and communication.
• Implemented a crime reduction model that utilizes evidence based policing strategies and identified specific roles and responsibilities for all members of the organization as well as a department wide accountability meeting structure.
• Established solid working partnerships with other city departments, county agencies, and the community.
• Planned and directed operations during critical incidents, natural disasters, large-scale community and dignitary events.

EDUCATION:

• M.S. Degree, Public Administration

Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale-Davie, FL, November 2006

• B.S. Degree, Professional Administration

Barry University, Miami, FL, March 2005

• A.S. Degree, Criminal Justice Technology

Indian River Community College, Fort Pierce, FL, April 2001

• Southern Police Institute – Administrative Officers Course #130

University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, November 2013

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County – Past President/Board of Directors
• Treasure Coast Hope for the Homeless Foundation – President/Board of Directors
• Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County – Governor Appointed Council Member
• Port St. Lucie Police Athletic League – Honorary Member/Board of Directors

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

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

AWARDS:

• Congressional Award in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community – Congressman Brian Mast
• 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