Miami names Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez as city's next police chief after Manny Morales' retirement

Miami officials announced Friday that Edwin Lopez will become the city's next police chief, succeeding longtime Chief Manuel "Manny" Morales as soon as uly as Morales prepares to retire.

Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins and City Manager James Reyes announced Lopez's appointment in a news release Friday, praising his decades of law enforcement experience and leadership in South Florida agencies.

"I am pleased to welcome Edwin Lopez as Miami's new Chief of Police," Higgins said in a statement. "Our City Manager, James Reyes, made a thoughtful decision in selecting Chief Lopez, a homegrown leader, dedicated public servant, and 28-year veteran who has spent his career serving our community with professionalism and integrity."

Higgins said the city plans to continue focusing on public safety and strengthening trust between officers and the community.

"Miami is one of the safest big cities in America, and we are going to keep it that way by supporting our officers, strengthening community trust, and staying focused on what matters most: keeping every neighborhood safe," she said.

A former Miami Police Chief says politics, public scrutiny and the sheer size of the department will be among the biggest challenges facing Miami's incoming police chief.

Former Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina, who led the department during the pandemic and the social unrest that followed, says Lopez is prepared for the role.

"I think he's prepared himself to bring that roll-up-your-sleeves, work-hard attitude of his," Colina said.

Lopez is a 28-year law enforcement veteran with experience at Miami-Dade Schools Police and most recently as chief of the Doral Police Department. He was selected to replace outgoing Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales, who is expected to retire in the fall.

Colina says one of Lopez's biggest challenges will be navigating Miami's political environment.

"There is a demanding elected political body there," Colina said. "The elected officials are demanding and that may be different for him. Sometimes it can be challenging because oftentimes they tug in different directions".

The president of PBA praised the city's decision to nominate Lopez in an exclusive interview with CBS News Miami

South Florida PBA President Steadman Stahl also expressed optimism about Lopez's appointment.

"He's going to bring what he brought to the school board, which was a large, diverse school system countywide," Stahl told CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench. "What he brought to Doral was a great sense of pride to the officers".

The scale of Lopez's new role is significant.

He will go from leading a department with about 155 sworn officers in Doral — a city of roughly 82,000 residents — to overseeing more than 1,100 sworn officers in the City of Miami, which has a population approaching 500,000 people.

"Miami is a global city, and there's a constant microscope on everything that you do and you say in Miami," Colina added.

Stahl added that Lopez will coincidentally be honored next month for his leadership at the PBA's annual banquet.

Lopez previously led Doral and Miami-Dade Schools police departments

City Manager James Reyes said Lopez was selected because of his leadership background and commitment to transparency and community policing.

"Chief Edwin Lopez brings an exceptional record of leadership, a deep commitment to transparency, and a proven approach to community policing that has earned the trust of the communities where he has served," Reyes said. "We are confident that he is the right leader to carry forward the Miami Police Department's proud legacy while addressing the evolving needs of our growing and diverse city."

Lopez has more than 28 years of law enforcement experience. He has served as chief of the Doral Police Department since 2023. Before joining Doral police, Lopez spent 25 years with the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, including four years as the department's chief.

Doral Mayor Christi Fraga praised Lopez's leadership in Doral, calling him "an exceptional leader" who strengthened trust within the community and elevated the Doral Police Department during his tenure.

She said, "I am very proud of what he has done. He has done great work here, and it shows his leadership. I think first and foremost, the environment in our police department changed. There is a line of people wanting to work here because of the camaraderie, and there is an opportunity for officers that is going to continue. We also created new units impacting the concerns of residents."

In a statement, Lopez said he is honored to succeed Morales and continue the department's legacy.

"I have tremendous respect for Chief Manuel Morales and the chiefs who served before him," Lopez said. "I am humbled by the opportunity to continue building on that legacy while working to keep our community safe and strengthen relationships throughout the City of Miami."

According to city records, outgoing Chief Manuel Morales earns an annual salary of about $350,000. Lopez's starting salary is expected to be $325,000 a year.

City officials said Lopez is known for his collaborative leadership style and efforts to improve morale within the departments he has led.

About an hour before the announcement that Lopez was leaving, Doral Police announced a new headquarters to open within three years.