Doral prepares to name Miami Springs Police Chief Matthew Castillo as its next top cop
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.
Doral’s 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’s police force.
Castillo told the Miami Herald in a written statement that Doral “offers the opportunity to lead a significantly larger organization with a different scale of operations, staffing, development and regional influence.”
He added: “It presents new leadership challenges and opportunities that align with where I am professionally at this stage of my career.”
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 — a significant increase from the approximately $154,500 he currently earns in Miami Springs.
When Lopez, the current chief, was hired as Doral’s 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. .
Doral Mayor Christi Fraga said she is confident Castillo will do a “great job” in Doral.
“He is going to bring consistency, continuity, energy and integrity,” Fraga said. “I’m excited about this opportunity for him and for his family. He knows our community. He grew up in this area — even though it’s Miami Springs, he’s here all the time. We see him here all the time. I really think he’s going to fit in very well.”
The move would place Castillo at the helm of one of Miami-Dade County’s fastest-growing cities, marking a significant jump from Miami Springs, a municipality of roughly 14,000 residents with 47 sworn police officers, to Doral, whose population now exceeds 81,000 and whose police department includes more than 190 sworn officers.
The selection of Doral’s police chief falls under the authority of City Manager Zeida Sardiñas, though the City Council must approve the employment agreement.
Sardiñas said in an email that her priority throughout the process has been to ensure continuity with the right leader — “someone who can step in seamlessly, lead from day one, and build upon the solid foundation already in place.”
She added that Castillo “brings a proven track record of modernizing operations, strengthening proactive policing strategies, and leading high-performance teams with discipline and accountability.”
Doral Councilwoman Maureen Porras sent a statement to the Herald expressing concerns about the hiring process while also backing Castillo as the city’s next police chief.
“While 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,” Porras said.
She added that Castillo’s “leadership will be vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of our city” and said he has her “full support.”
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’s top position.
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’s departure.
Fraga said Castillo’s background in administration is a major benefit.
“I think he has a strong administrative background, which is great, and I think it’s what made him successful in Miami Springs, too,” Fraga said.
Since becoming chief in Miami Springs, Castillo has overseen initiatives including a citywide neighborhood watch program and expanded traffic enforcement efforts.
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.
The profile also states that Castillo’s leadership has produced “measurable results,” including a significant reduction in property crime, fewer calls for service and a marked increase in proactive enforcement activity.
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’s appointment is anticipated shortly afterward.
