Rendering for the new FMPD headquarters being built at 2150 Fowler Street. -COURTESY PHOTO

For residents of Fort Myers, change has been rapid and continuous within the local community. One area of the community that has been affected by this change is our local law enforcement.

Captain Roger Valdivia with the Fort Myers Police Department has a 33-year career in law enforcement and was able to speak about change over the past three decades, the past year, and upcoming changes expected in 2026 and beyond.

One of the biggest changes: technology.

Members of the Fort Myers Police Department Drone Unit conduct training exercises to enhance aerial surveillance and operational readiness. -COURTESY PHOTO

Technology has redefined policing from public perception to prosecution.  The addition of body cameras and in-car video has increased documentation and changed the landscape of law enforcement.

“I don’t want to say like if it’s not on video it didn’t happen, but it almost sometimes feels that way,” Valdivia said.

Last year, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office became the first to welcome an autonomous police vehicle to its fleet. With hopes of increasing police presence and surveillance in the community, this piece of technology has captured the attention of police departments nationwide as new and updated technology continues to be incorporated.

While FMPD may not be looking to add an unmanned vehicle yet, the department is looking to expand the technology already in place. One example is the FMPD drone unit, which allows officers to have an eye in the sky. The drone unit allows the department to respond quickly and safely to traffic crashes or crimes in progress. These drones are operated by an officer working from a desk and help support officers by streaming directly into patrol vehicles. The drones are equipped with thermal capability and night vision.

The drone unit is operated by officers with years of field experience, while the officers fresh out of the academy focus on road patrol. Since Fort Myers is a busy city, FMPD is a busy department, requiring officers to be able to meet and exceed job expectations. Technology and drones are just one way our officers are supported as they keep the city safe.

“I think we do a pretty good job trying to weed out the best of the best and have those best of the best work for the agency”, Valdivia said.

With expectations high for officers, it is expected for officers to have high expectations of the department as well. Captain Valdivia spoke about the challenges the department is facing when it comes to meeting these expectations.

Fort Myers Police Department SWAT officers and the Critical Incident Negotiation Team take part in joint training focused on coordinated response to high-risk incidents. -COURTESY PHOTO

“But I mean, I’m totally transparent, obviously, you know, like Cape Coral PD right now they’re kind of one of the highest paying agencies locally here and they are kind of attracting some of our officers, because of the amount of pay that they’re offering across the river,” he said.

Currently, the Fort Myers Police Union is at an impasse in contract negotiations with the city.

“I’m hoping that, you know, they come to a good resolution to where the officers feel like that they’re getting uh fair compensation for, you know, for the work that they’re doing. As I said, we are a busy agency. We do run a lot of calls every year. We’re a pretty good-sized city, with good-sized city problems,” Captain Valdivia added.

Fort Myers City Manager Marty Lawing is responsible for the department’s budget and spending priorities. Previously, he worked in Guilford County, North Carolina, as city manager before resigning in 2020.

Guilford County faced issues retaining veteran deputies due to salary and benefits being reduced under Marty Lawing.  Now, the county is working to make the department competitive once again.

Officer retention is crucial for reasons beyond just staffing numbers. While it is costly to onboard and train new officers, the knowledge that is lost from losing veteran deputies is difficult to quantify. The institutional knowledge and community relationships that officers carry throughout their career can be instrumental in reducing crime rates and helping to build a better, safer and more engaged community.

Currently, FMPD has offices located all over Fort Myers. As the city has grown, the department continues to outgrow the space it operates, leading to units being moved to other buildings.

Southwest Florida has experienced a 9.5% increase in population since 2020 (Lee County Economic Development). To adapt to the rapid growth, FMPD plans on developing a new headquarters located off Fowler, just south of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The new headquarters will bring together all FMPD units into one space and is estimated to cost $140 million.

Bringing the departments together under one roof will improve efficiency and communication between units, making the lives of officers easier and hopefully allowing investigators to solve crimes quickly by improving communication silos and fostering an environment for various units to work together effectively. Rather than continuing to expand by adding more offices throughout Fort Myers, bringing the units together under one roof will be a long-term solution and investment in the community.

Construction on the building is tentatively scheduled to begin in July of 2026, with substantial completion set for January 2028. However, funding for the project could be in jeopardy during the current Florida legislative session or, if necessary, special session due to proposals to cut or even potentially eliminate non-school homestead property taxes. The loss of revenue for cities and counties could have long-term effects for funding projects, like the new headquarters, and could result in changes for community parks and recreation, as well as the budget for first responders.

Design for the new FMPD building being built at 2150 Fowler Street. -COURTESY PHOTO

While challenges may remain for officer retention and future endeavors for the department, 2025 was a successful year regarding crime rates in Fort Myers. Captain Valdivia shared, “I am happy to report that crime is down.”

To keep crime down, the department sets goals and objectives at the beginning of each year. This year, the top objective is to enhance traffic safety and reduce fatalities. Other objectives include: reducing violent and property crime through predictive and intelligence-led policing, advancing mental health crisis response and reducing behavioral health-related arrests, strengthening officer safety and training and fostering community trust and collaborative partnerships.

Fort Myers Police Department officers participate in a holiday toy drive, distributing gifts to support local families in the community. -COURTESY PHOTO

Community trust and engagement have been important for FMPD even while internal operations may change shape. Just last year, the department participated in 177 community events.

Twice a year, the department hosts the Citizen Police Academy. The 10-week course takes place once a week and equips citizens with knowledge and understanding of what the department does for the community. Upon completion, participants are honored during a graduation ceremony.

The next Citizen Police Academy will take place Feb. 24, 2026- April 21, 2026, on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Applications are due Feb. 18, 2026, with limited space available. For more information, residents can contact the Community Engagement Bureau at CEB@FMPolice.com.

Another way to get involved is through community fundraisers. Jan. 31, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., FMPD will host a Blue Line Drive at TopGolf Fort Myers. Tickets for the event can be purchased online, and proceeds will support the Fort Myers Police Athletic League. PAL works with community leaders and youth to provide mentorship and character-building tools.

While policing has been changing throughout the decades, the department will continue adapting this year in response to growth, technology and legislation. As FMPD prepares for the future, uncertainty remains regarding officer retention. Despite changes and uncertainty, residents can expect to see the department’s priorities and objectives in place for this year reflected through lower crime rates, improved safety and community partnership.