Leo Niemczyk appointed as new Chief of Port St. Lucie Police
Published on November 06, 2024
Leo Niemczyk, the Assistant Chief of the Port St. Lucie Department since November 2023, was appointed as the new Chief at a swearing in ceremony today.
“Chief Niemczyk is an exceptional law enforcement leader with a proven track record of success in public safety,” said Mayor Shannon Martin. “His deep understanding of our City, gained through years of dedicated service, is critical as Port St. Lucie continues to grow. With his strong focus on community policing and proactive crime prevention strategies, I am confident that Chief Niemczyk will uphold our commitment to keeping Port St. Lucie the safest large city in Florida.”
Chief Niemczyk, who has been with PSLPD for 22 years, replaces Chief Richard Del Toro, who was elected St. Lucie County Sheriff on Nov. 5.
“In his time with the Port St. Lucie Police Department, Leo has demonstrated his capacity for leadership and a commitment to forward-thinking law enforcement strategies that will benefit residents,” said City Manager Jesus Merejo. “He will continue to build on PSLPD’s success with a vision for the future that focuses first on the community.”
Chief Niemczyk has served in law enforcement for nearly three decades, dedicating his career to protecting the communities he has called home.
“Port St. Lucie is recognized as one of the safest large cities in Florida and nationwide, which is why I am grateful to the Mayor, City Council members and the City Manager for providing me the opportunity to continue building on that tradition,” Chief Niemczyk said. “It is a privilege to work with our team of dedicated law enforcement professionals, who spend every day working to ensure the safety of our residents.”
Chief Niemczyk’s career began in 1996 with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), where he completed field training at the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx. He later served at the 106th Precinct in Queens and the Queens South Auto Larceny Unit. During his time with the NYPD, Chief Niemczyk was highly decorated and made the sergeants promotional list. On September 11, 2001, he responded to the World Trade Center and was involved in search and rescue operations in the months that followed.
In October 2002, Chief Niemczyk was sworn in as an officer with the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD). Since then, he has served in a variety of roles that have given him an in-depth perspective of the community and the department, including:
- Neighborhood Policing Bureau
- Criminal Investigations Division
- District Support Division
- Commanding in all districts within the City
- Leading crisis negotiation teams
- Leading the Honor Guard
In his time with the City of Port St. Lucie, Chief Niemczyk has implemented innovative new programs that have strengthened PSLPD. He founded the Peer Support Team, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program and was the first supervisor of the drone/UAV unit. As Assistant Chief, he implemented the first police academy class specifically for PSLPD in an effort to increase the number of officers and keep up with the City’s population growth.
Chief Niemczyk has also held several roles in union leadership, having served as a representative and vice president for the Coastal Florida PBA, and as president of the local 6018 International Union of Police Associations. He is a member of both the Florida Police Chief’s Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
As a result of his continued leadership and demonstrated results, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Police in November 2023.
Chief Niemczyk holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York and a Master of Public Administration from Barry University. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officer's Course at the University of Louisville, Class 137.