So it turns out the whispers were not whispers after all, queridos. They were spoilers.
Just days after Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez announced his move to become the top cop in Miami, las malas lenguas told Ladra that Miami Springs Police Chief Matthew Castillo — who already looked less like a small-town chief settling into a long career and more like a young executive polishing a résumé — had gotten the gig in Doral.
This week, he announced it was true. He gets a shiny new badge, a bigger department and about $85,000 more a year.
Not bad for a hometown kid who only became chief in Miami Springs last year.
Read related: Miami names Edwin López next police chief — as Political Cortadito predicted
Ladra first heard about conversations with Castillo about four days after the announcement that Lopez had fled the coop. That makes Mayor Christi Fraga’s earlier insistence that nothing had been decided look, how shall we say this delicately, aspirational. At best.
Because now we know an offer was already being formed, an offer with a salary of $240,000 a year, up from the approximately $154,500 Castillo makes in Miami Springs.
Ay dios mío. That is one expensive neighborhood watch program. At least it’s not as much as the $253K the city has been paying for Chief Lopez’s salary.
But this was never just about money. Castillo was almost custom-built for this opening.
Young. Ambitious. Local roots. Administrative background. No major public scandals. Politically disciplined. Camera-friendly without looking thirsty for attention. In South Florida municipal government, that’s basically the law-enforcement version of a five-star recruit.
And Doral clearly wanted continuity more than controversy.
After Lopez’s rapid exit to Miami, city officials weren’t looking for a bomb-thrower or a headline magnet. They wanted somebody who could walk in on day one, keep the machine running smoothly, reassure residents, smile at ribbon cuttings and not accidentally start a war with the council on Facebook.
Enter Castillo.
Fraga practically sounded like she was introducing a future son-in-law to the family when she told The Miami Herald how often she sees him around Doral already and how well he will “fit in.”
“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.”
Translation: everybody already knows everybody.
The move is a massive leap in scale.
Castillo goes from leading a sleepy department of fewer than 50 sworn officers in a city of about 14,000 residents to running a force with more than 190 officers in one of the county’s fastest-growing and most politically sensitive municipalities. Right now, there are more than 83,000 residents living there, a 10% increase from the 2020 Census.
Welcome to the big leagues, chief.
Because policing Doral is not just policing anymore. It’s diplomacy, development politics, Venezuelan exile politics, business politics, traffic politics, and WhatsApp politics all wrapped into one expensive municipal package. It’s the home to the Trump National Doral Miami resort and golf course.
There are going to be protests and nightlife activities and huge events like the G-20 and the Fourth of July, things he is not used to dealing with in sleepy Miami Springs.
But at least it’s an easier transition than Lopez’s to Miami, where everyone thinks he’s going to be eaten alive (more on that later).
Read related: The Miami police chief, a private foundation, and a very public complaint
And now comes the next juicy question: Who becomes the new chief in Miami Springs?
That search may become even more fascinating than the Doral hire itself.
Do city leaders promote from within again and try to preserve the “family department” culture? Do they bring in an outsider with bigger-agency experience? Or do ambitious command officers across Miami-Dade suddenly start eyeing Miami Springs as a strategic stepping stone, ala Castillo’s rise?
This kind of independent, government watchdog reporting is crucial to transparency and democracy. And more so every day. Help shine a light on the darker corners of our community with a contribution to Political Cortadito. Click here. Ladra thanks you for your support.
Police dominoes: Matthew Castillo moves from Miami Springs to Doral added by Ladra on
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Publius ,
Even though it would be local number not 911 I would never call police for handicapped parking and think they might not like it if I did .
I have called 911 – 2x in last 4 years and both were due to hit and runs which took place weekends like 4 am or so when I left work , I gave them plates and both in Coral Way .
These were serious hits yet both SUV’s who were the drunk drivers were able to drive away.
One they caught drunk in a shopping center parking lot 2 blocks away as tires destroyed and other have no idea .
Drunk driving in Miami is so rampant weekends after 11 pm that just to play it safe I stopped going to 24/7 gas stations for gas at off hours as afraid someone will drive in drunk hit a pump though never heard of it happening.
Some like to say it is tourists , Spring break but it is home grown.
Jose, slotfulness represents a deep indifference toward personal responsibilities and duties to others, in this case, people with disabilities. Sadly, too many people are afflicted by this moral failing. When concerned citizens observe these violators parking in spaces designated for the disabled, it is up to them to alert police, and for dedicated police officers to hold these shirkers accountable by relentlessly citing them. As for police officers riding alone, the calling often demands it. Still, they are not really; a bright passenger, though invisible, is with them. If need be, paraphrasing John 15:13: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life in the service and protection of one’s fellow citizens. That’s what sheepdogs do.
Publius ,
I had no idea so many people had fake one’s / laser printed till a Doral cop told me he arrested a woman for one not long ago , think she also escalated things .
I spoke to a group of Doral police today who were by a store I was going to and thankfully they plan to continue going after illegal handicapped and drunk drivers which as you know an epidemic Fri / Sat nights to am and holidays .
I work late afternoon to evening or early evening to am like tonight and weekends / holidays I avoid the fastest route home only as those intersections are accidents galore due to the flashing red/ yellow street lights which drunk drivers ignore and fly right through .
I think it is a HUGE mistake for police to be by themselves at night but doesn’t seem to bother the one’s I know.
Nothing more egregious than physically able persons parking in Handicapped -Designated parking slots. Often, these abusers display fraudulently obtained Disabled Parking certificates or use those issued to legitimately disabled friends or family members. Outrageous! Recently, Dade’s Sheriff’s Office launched an enforcement campaign to cite these ne’er-do-wells – stay on it, Sheriff Stutz. Godspeed, Erwin Lopez, as you endeavor to ride the tiger that is the Miami Police Department; don’t falter, lest the tiger devour you. To minimize the risk, surround yourself with command officers who will complement you rather than sycophants.
Though no fan of Cuban politicians AND Cuban police Chiefs , I have to give Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez credit because due to him FINALLY police in Doral began to ticket the brigades of entitled filth which parked in handicapped without tags.
God forbid an entitled spoiled , mentally weak , texting addicted teenager walked an extra 5 feet so their parents often park in handicapped as their son / daughter went in the store and the elderly handicapped couple using strollers to walk can go %%%% themselves because after all isn’t that the Miami Hispanic mentality ?
You see this behavior in ME-AMI and yes it happens in other parts of Florida but rare nothing at all like here .
I emailed him , called his office and never spoke to him but to an assistant to thank them so I give him lots of credit for this.
I am not handicapped but I am not some entitled slime who abuses elderly / handicapped and again it was rampant in Doral until Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez so give credit where credit is due .