Sunny Isles Beach Police - Dedicated To Providing The Highest Level Of Professional Service To Its Citizens

The highly diverse department and officers are in the school, on the streets, in the parks, and always there for you. You will often find them at City events providing important safety tips and programs such as car seat installations, bike helmet fittings, and shred-a-thons. If you happen to see them at an event stop by to say hello. Let's introduce you to the command staff.

Chief of Police, Edward Santiago

Chief Edward Santiago is a proven law enforcement executive with over 25 years of experience in community-focused policing and public safety. He began his career with the Miami Shores Police Department in 1994 where he served as a civilian Communications Officer and then a Police Officer after attending the Broward College Institute of Public Safety Police Academy as a sponsored recruit.

In 1998, Chief Santiago transferred to the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department as one of its founding officers. Over the years, Chief Santiago has ascended through the ranks, making him the first officer within the department to hold every rank within the agency. On April 5th, 2022, Chief Santiago was sworn in as the agency's fourth chief.

He is passionate and dedicated to public safety initiatives that have a direct impact on Sunny Isles Beach, particularly traffic enforcement and community policing. His efforts align with the department’s mission to provide exceptional service with an emphasis on professionalism, accountability and respect.

The Chief is a member of several professional organizations, including but not limited to the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, the Police Officer Assistant Trust, and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. He is most proud of the police department's most recent accomplishment. On October 5th, 2023, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department received its Certificate of Accreditation from The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. under his leadership.

Chief Santiago holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Barry University and is a graduate of the University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute 78th Command Officer’s Development Course and the FBI's Florida Executive Development Course. He’s been named Officer of the Month eleven times and received numerous awards, including the Segal Award for Investigative Excellence.

Assistant Chief of Police, Luke Plesa

Assistant Chief of Police, Luke Plesa joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department in 2005 as a non-certified police officer. After completing the Miami-Dade College Police Academy, he was sworn in on June 6, 2006, as a certified officer.

Plesa has served in Uniform Patrol, the Criminal Investigation Unit as a Detective which included being a part-time task force officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon being promoted to Police Corporal, Plesa worked in Uniform Patrol and the Administrative Division as a supervisor ultimately being promoted to Sergeant. While serving as a Sergeant in the Administrative Division he supervised the Communications Unit, Records Unit, and the Criminal Investigations Unit.

He also served as acting Lieutenant of the Administrative Division for approximately one year and then was promoted to Lieutenant. During his time as a Lieutenant, Plesa was the Commanding Officer for the Administrative Division which includes the Administration Unit, Criminal Investigations Unit, Training Unit, Communications Unit, Records Unit, Property and Evidence Unit, and the Internal Affairs/Accreditation Unit.

Plesa was promoted on June 17, 2024 to Assistant Chief of Police, serving as second in Command.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida International University, a Master of Public Administration from Barry University, and an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, he is a graduate of the 78th University of Louisville Command Officer Development Course.

He is also a member of the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Lieutenant Michael Mulvey

Lieutenant Michael Mulvey joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department in July 1998 as one of the inaugural officers following the City's incorporation and the creation of its own police department. Lieutenant Mulvey began his law enforcement career in September 1988 as a Trooper with the New Jersey State Police. After relocating to South Florida with his family, he was recruited to help establish operations at the newly formed Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.

Initially assigned to the Uniform Patrol, Lieutenant Mulvey transitioned to the Criminal Investigations Unit in 2002, where he dedicated most of his career. In 2022, following the department's restructuring, he was appointed as the commander of the Strategic Services Division, overseeing the Traffic Motor Unit, Community Resources Unit, Marine Patrol Unit, and Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Unit.

Lieutenant Mulvey studied Criminal Justice at Seton Hall University and Brookdale College in New Jersey. He is also an active member of the Miami Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police.

Lieutenant Lee Athanasiou

Lieutenant Lee Athanasiou joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department on July 20th, 1998, as one of its original officers. He began his law enforcement career with the Indian Creek Police Department in February 1997 after graduating from the police academy in Ocala, Florida.

Throughout his 26-year career, Lieutenant Athanasiou has worked in and supervised various specialized units. He started as an officer assigned to Beach Patrol and Marine Patrol. After being promoted to Sergeant in 2003, he served as a midnight supervisor. In March 2012, he established the Community Policing Unit, overseeing beach/bike patrol, ocean rescue, school resource liaison, and the motor unit. He remained the Motor Unit Sergeant until 2021 when he returned to Road Patrol. In September 2022, he was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant, overseeing all daily patrol operations.

Lieutenant Athanasiou has been one of the department’s Honor Guard coordinators since 2001 and has served as a department instructor since 2000, teaching firearms, taser, and patrol carbine. He also attended Miami-Dade County Police Department's Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) #10.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University.

Lieutenant Ruben Zamora

Lieutenant Ruben Zamora began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a Police Service Aide with the City of Hollywood Police Department. After graduating from the 178th Session of the Broward College Police Academy in 1996, he joined the Lauderhill Police Department as a Police Officer, where he served as a Patrol Officer and initiated a youth services program for the agency.

In 1999, Lieutenant Zamora joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department. Over the years, he has served in various roles, including Patrol Officer, Motor Officer, Traffic Unit Supervisor, Field Training Officer, Regional Mobile Field Force member, Fleet Coordinator, and Training Unit Commander. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion to Corporal in 2010, and then to Sergeant in 2013 while overseeing the Training Unit.

Lieutenant Zamora is a highly skilled instructor, Certified by FDLE as a Firearms Instructor, ASP Instructor, Chemical Agents Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Active Shooter Instructor (FLETC), and TASER Instructor.

In May 2023, Zamora was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and is a graduate of the 84th Command Officer’s Development Course and the FBI-NA Florida Executive Development Course.

Lieutenant Melissa Porro

Lieutenant Melissa Porro joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department in June 2000 as a Police Trainee and attended the Miami-Dade Police Academy. After graduating, she was sworn in as a Police Officer in November 2000. Lieutenant Porro began her career in the Patrol Division, serving as a Road Patrol Officer, Beach Patrol Special Operations Officer, Field Training Officer, and in-house CPR/AED Trainer.

She was promoted to Corporal in 2008 and to Sergeant in 2015. As a Sergeant, she served in both the Patrol and Administrative Divisions before being promoted to Lieutenant in July 2024. Currently, Lieutenant Porro is assigned to the Administrative Division, overseeing the Communications and Training Units and the Public Information Office. She also manages fleet operations, pre-employment background investigations, and the quartermaster duties.

Lieutenant Porro holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Barry University. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute 84th Command Officer’s Development Course and the FBI LEEDA Leadership Trilogy. Lieutenant Porro is also a member of the National Association of The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

Lieutenant William L. Howell

Lieutenant William L. Howell began his career in 1995 by self-sponsoring himself through the Broward County Police Academy’s 175th Session. He was then hired by the Golden Beach Police Department in 1995 and served the Agency as a Road Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and Acting Supervisor for the midnight shift.

In 1998, Lieutenant Howell joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department and is one of the original founding members of the agency. He has served the agency in the capacity of a Road Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and as a Detective.

In 2000, Lieutenant Howell was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Transnational Organized Crime Task Force where he spent sixteen years contributing to countless indictments of organized crime figures.

In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal where he served as a Road Patrol supervisor until he was transferred to the Administrative Division in 2018. In 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Administrative Division overseeing the Accreditation Unit, the Property and Evidence Unit, and the Records Unit and in 2024, Lieutenant Howell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in charge of Professional Compliance, Ethics, the Accreditation Unit, the Property and Evidence Unit, and the Records Unit.

Lieutenant Howell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute 95th Command Officer’s Development Course.

Lieutenant Javier Estevez

Lieutenant Javier Estevez graduated from the Miami Dade College Police Academy in 2001 and began his law enforcement career with the Village of Pinecrest Police Department as a Road Patrol Officer. In 2002, he joined the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, where he served in the Patrol Division. Early in his career, Lieutenant Estevez developed a strong passion for traffic enforcement and crash investigations, which led him to join the Traffic Motor Unit in 2004. He has since completed over 200 hours of traffic homicide investigation courses and became a certified police motorcycle instructor, teaching alongside the Broward Sheriff’s Office Motor Unit. Lieutenant Estevez has also actively participated in multiple police motorcycle rodeos—charitable competitions between local police departments.

In 2018, after over 15 years in the Traffic Motor Unit, Lieutenant Estevez was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He also completed Miami-Dade County Police Department’s Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) training course, an extensive 80-hour program specializing in rapid tactical response, including crowd management, building searches, and the operation of heavy machinery and cutting instruments. His participation in this unit included multiple presidential and dignitary protection details.

Lieutenant Estevez was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in August 2024. He now oversees the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), managing six detectives and all criminal investigations for the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department. He and his unit also participate in several task forces across the tri-county area, engaging in proactive investigations when called upon.

Lieutenant Estevez holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute 95th Command Officer’s Development Course.

The Sunny Isles Beach Police Department is located at: Government Center - 2nd Floor 18070 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160. Non-Emergency line is: (305) 947-4440. (Credit: www.sibfl.gov)

See them in the South Florida Sun Times:

https://issuu.com/suntimesnewspaper/docs/sun_times_issue_11_21_24?fr=sNTlhOTc5OTA2NjM

https://issuu.com/suntimesnewspaper/docs/sun_times_issue_11_21_24/9?fr=sOGZkNTc5OTA2Nzc