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Before Rene Landa retired as Chief of Police of the South Miami Police Department earlier this year, the City of South Miami launched a nationwide search for a new leader of the 52 sworn officer department. Of the 45 applications received, three applicants made the cut and participated in an intensive interviewing process with the city’s mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, department heads, police officers and community stakeholders.
“We had a clear vision of what we wanted in a police chief,” says South Miami City Manager Chip Iglesias. “The candidate we selected had to be a proven leader who is value-driven, customer centric, well educated, with good operational and administrative experience.
“We found that Reo Hatfield, the Deputy Chief of the Virginia Beach Police Department, with over 1,000 sworn personnel and civilians, was the person for the job, exemplifying all of the criteria we’d established. In addition to that, he is personable, humble and has a strong command presence. We are extremely fortunate to have Chief Hatfield at the helm, ready to take the South Miami Police Department to the next level,” says City Manager Iglesias.
Below is an interview with and a brief biography of South Miami’s new Police Chief Reo Hatfield III.
Community Newspapers: What are your hopes for the department as you take the reins as Chief?
Chief Hatfield: As a Chief coming in from the outside, it is important to understand the community of South Miami and the current policing culture of the department. I will say without hesitation South Miami Police Department will continue the community policing philosophy and where possible increase our communities trust in the department. We will strive to use a holistic whole of government approach to serving our community. My hope is the department becomes the premier law enforcement agency in South Florida that others desire to emulate.
Community Newspapers: Are there specific plans you would like to implement?
Chief Hatfield: I plan to listen, learn, and lead both externally and internally. It is important to not make change for the sake of making changing, but to do so after thoughtful analysis. The one thing officers want is change; the one things officers hate is change. So, it’s important to make the necessary changes at the right time and for the right reasons. Nationally, recruitment and retention issues are plaguing law enforcement agencies and South Miami is feeling the impacts as well. The challenges and reasons for this are endless and sometimes specific to an agency. The City of South Miami has recently begun a compensation study and I look forward to seeing the analysis and recommendations from the firm hired to perform the study. In the meantime, it is my plan to reimagine the hiring process for our officers and professional staff.
Community Newspapers: How do you feel about being in South Miami?
Chief Hatfield: South Miami is amazing, and I love the international vibe! My goal was to be a Chief of Police in South Florida, and I am honored to have been unanimously appointed the Chief of South Miami. Our City Manager, Commission, and city have been truly amazing and welcoming through the process. I look forward to serving the “City of Pleasant Living.”
Biography of Reo Hatfield III
Reo Hatfield III has spent 25 years in law enforcement with the Virginia Beach Police Department, rising from patrol officer to the rank of Deputy Chief. Among his operational, administrative and investigative assignments and skills include Commander of the Special Investigations Bureau, Tactical Commander (SWAT), Internal Affairs Supervisor, K9 and Bomb Squad Officer and Detective.
Hatfield holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police. He is a U.S. Marine Corps and Navy veteran, currently serving as Commanding Officer of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Southeast Field Office in Jacksonville, Florida.
