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Published on November 07, 2024
Leo Niemczyk Sworn In as Port St. Lucie's New Police Chief, Pledges Advanced Training and CollaborationSource: Facebook/City of Port St. Lucie - City Hall

In a ceremony marked by personal reflections and ambitions for law enforcement's future, Leo Niemczyk took the oath to become Port St. Lucie's newest police chief. After dedicating 22 years to the department, he steps up to fill the shoes of Richard Del Toro, who was recently elected St. Lucie County sheriff. In his remarks, encapsulated by an emotional atmosphere, Niemczyk expressed gratitude towards his predecessor Del Toro and City Manager Jesus Merejo, as noted by WPTV.

Niemczyk, surrounded by family at the swearing-in, acknowledged the unwavering support pivotal to his achievements. "You don't achieve anything with life without somebody supporting you, people having your back, and there they are in the first row," he openly shared in a statement obtained by WPTV. The visible presence of community and familial backing underscores the collaborative ethos Niemczyk aims to bring to law enforcement. His new role comes at a critical juncture, as Port St. Lucie has emerged as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Niemczyk is set to now actively translate his two decades of experience into guiding the police department through its next evolutionary phase.

As outlined in an WPBF report, Niemczyk has several key objectives to better the department: bolstering internal culture, enhancing social media engagement, and increasing training for officers. "Our officers are going to get about 100 more hours of training each year on the most current topics," Niemczyk promised. Emphasizing on the department's need to adapt swiftly to the community's needs, he's already laying out a plan to ensure that law enforcement capabilities evolve in tandem with Port St. Lucie's rapid expansion.

Collaborative efforts between Niemczyk and Del Toro are anticipated to benefit countywide law enforcement practices, with Niemczyk outlining a vision for sharing resources and expertise. "The confidence he has in me is incredibly humbling and he is the best boss anybody can ever ask for," Niemczyk said, highlighting the support he received from Merejo, according to the statement obtained by WPTV. Facing the pressing challenge of hiring more officers for the growing city, Niemczyk's precedence is clear, to successfully marshal the resources and initiatives necessary for keeping pace with the evolving societal landscape. Port St. Lucie Police Department, under Niemczyk's leadership, leans into a future where enhanced training and inter-department cooperation are the cornerstones of community safety and well-being.