Edwin López Takes Oath as Miami's New Police Chief: His Views on Immigration

On Monday, Edwin López, a Cuban-American, was sworn in as the 44th Chief of the Miami Police Department. The ceremony took place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, attracting hundreds of family members, colleagues, and officials from South Florida.

The official Miami PD account on X described the event as "a defining moment of service," where López took his oath, pledging to lead with pride and integrity.

The day before, outgoing Chief Manuel "Manny" Morales symbolically passed the torch to López by transmitting his "final 06," the radio code signaling the end of service, thus concluding a 32-year tenure with the institution.

A New Chapter for Miami Police

Born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, López expressed that this appointment is the highest honor of his life. "It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as Chief of Police for the Miami Police Department. Grateful to God, my family, my mentors, and everyone who helped me along the way," he wrote on X after the ceremony.

Mayor Eileen Higgins, who announced López's appointment on May 8, praised him for his belief that "there is no difference between public safety and public trust." She highlighted that under López's leadership, "everyone in this city—regardless of their immigration status—will be treated with dignity, respect, and humanity."

Balancing Compassion with Zero Tolerance

López aims to balance compassionate policing with a "zero tolerance" approach to crime. "To anyone who takes advantage of any vulnerable member of our community, I promise we will work tirelessly to put you behind bars," he declared.

In an interview with the Miami Herald, López clarified that his zero-tolerance philosophy does not extend to immigration enforcement but targets those "who harm children, break into homes, steal cars, or are murderers."

When asked about collaborating with federal immigration officials, he said he needs to review any existing agreements but emphasized, "My priority is not enforcing anything related to immigration."

From Doral to Miami: A Significant Transition

With over 28 years of law enforcement experience in South Florida, López previously led the Doral Police Department starting in January 2023, overseeing 155 officers in a city of 82,000 residents. The move to Miami is a substantial step up; he will now command approximately 1,400 sworn officers and 400 civilian employees in a city of nearly 500,000 people, with an annual salary of $325,000.

He is the second consecutive Cuban-American police chief in Miami, following his predecessor Morales, who also hailed from Cuban origins and retired after three decades of service.

Among his priorities is getting to know the department's officers personally, a challenge that grows with the city's plans to hire approximately 300 additional officers in the coming years.

Miami's City Manager James Reyes noted that López "brings an exceptional track record of leadership, a deep commitment to transparency, and a proven approach to community policing that has earned the trust of the communities he has served."

Educational and Professional Background

Before his tenure in Doral, López spent 25 years with the Miami-Dade School Police Department, serving as chief for his final four years. He holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and a master's degree in Public Administration, both from Florida International University.

Doral Mayor Christi Fraga expressed her regret at his departure, stating, "During his time in the city, he strengthened our department, supported our officers, and helped build a strong foundation that positions us well for the future. His impact will be felt long after his departure."