![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MIA_HUMANTRAFFICKINGPRESSERAGS052.JPG\" "\\"Miami")
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Miami Springs Police Chief Matthew Castillo, second from left, stands during a press conference by Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, who was discussing charges in a human trafficking case on Nov. 25, 2025, at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.<\/p>\n
Alie Skowronski<\/p>\n
askowronski@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
The City of Doral is preparing for another major leadership transition in its police department after Police Chief Edwin Lopez announced he is stepping down to become the next chief of the City of Miami Police Department.<\/p>\n
Doral\u2019s incoming police chief is expected to come from a neighboring municipality: Matthew Castillo, the current chief of the Miami Springs Police Department, has been selected to lead Doral\u2019s police force.<\/p>\n
Castillo told the Miami Herald in a written statement that Doral \u201coffers the opportunity to lead a significantly larger organization with a different scale of operations, staffing, development and regional influence.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIt presents new leadership challenges and opportunities that align with where I am professionally at this stage of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Herald has learned that an offer has already been extended to Castillo, with a proposed salary of about $240,000, according to the employment agreement \u2014 a significant increase from the approximately $154,500 he currently earns in Miami Springs.<\/p>\n
When Lopez, the current chief, was hired as Doral\u2019s top cop in 2023, his starting salary was approximately $199,000. He is leaving the position earning roughly $253,000 annually and is expected to receive a substantial pay increase in Miami<\/a>. .<\/p>\n Doral Mayor Christi Fraga said she is confident Castillo will do a \u201cgreat job\u201d in Doral.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is going to bring consistency, continuity, energy and integrity,\u201d Fraga said. \u201cI\u2019m excited about this opportunity for him and for his family. He knows our community. He grew up in this area \u2014 even though it\u2019s Miami Springs, he\u2019s here all the time. We see him here all the time. I really think he\u2019s going to fit in very well.\u201d<\/p>\n The move would place Castillo at the helm of one of Miami-Dade County\u2019s fastest-growing cities, marking a significant jump from Miami Springs, a municipality of roughly 14,000 residents with 47 sworn police officers<\/a>, to Doral, whose population now exceeds 81,000 and whose police department includes more than 190 sworn officers.<\/p>\n The selection of Doral\u2019s police chief falls under the authority of City Manager Zeida Sardi\u00f1as<\/a>, though the City Council must approve the employment agreement.<\/p>\n Sardi\u00f1as said in an email that her priority throughout the process has been to ensure continuity with the right leader \u2014 \u201csomeone who can step in seamlessly, lead from day one, and build upon the solid foundation already in place.\u201d<\/p>\n She added that Castillo \u201cbrings a proven track record of modernizing operations, strengthening proactive policing strategies, and leading high-performance teams with discipline and accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n Doral Councilwoman Maureen Porras sent a statement to the Herald expressing concerns about the hiring process while also backing Castillo as the city\u2019s next police chief.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I believe the search for a new chief could have been more transparent and open, including to internal candidates for consideration, I am nonetheless eager to work with Chief Matthew Castillo toward fostering a safer and more united community,\u201d Porras said.<\/p>\n She added that Castillo\u2019s \u201cleadership will be vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of our city\u201d and said he has her \u201cfull support.\u201d<\/p>\n Castillo, 42, has served as Miami Springs police chief since January 2025, capping a career that began in 2009 when he joined the department as a public service aide. Over the years, he rose through the ranks in the city where he was born and raised before eventually taking over the department\u2019s top position.<\/p>\n Castillo holds a finance degree from Florida International University. His administrative background was one of the main reasons he was selected for the position, as city officials were seeking strong leadership on the operational side of the department following Lopez\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n Fraga said Castillo\u2019s background in administration is a major benefit.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he has a strong administrative background, which is great, and I think it\u2019s what made him successful in Miami Springs, too,\u201d Fraga said.<\/p>\n Since becoming chief in Miami Springs, Castillo has overseen initiatives including a citywide neighborhood watch program and expanded traffic enforcement efforts.<\/p>\n According to the profile provided to the Doral city council, Castillo helped expand specialized units, including K-9 and traffic enforcement, brought the department to full staffing while developing a recruitment pipeline, and secured substantial federal and state funding to upgrade vehicles, equipment and operational systems, all while maintaining a strong focus on fiscal responsibility and efficient use of resources.<\/p>\n The profile also states that Castillo\u2019s leadership has produced \u201cmeasurable results,\u201d including a significant reduction in property crime, fewer calls for service and a marked increase in proactive enforcement activity.<\/p>\n Castillo is expected to be formally named police chief of Doral in June, though the exact date has not been confirmed. With Lopez expected to depart for Miami following the June 10 council meeting, Castillo\u2019s appointment is anticipated shortly afterward.<\/p>\n