By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables Police Department is on pace to hire 37 officers this year, a total that would nearly eliminate the agency’s staffing shortfall by December, city officials told commissioners on Aug. 26.

Police Chief Ed Hudak and Human Resources Director Raquel Elejabarrieta said the city began 2025 with 37 vacancies. Since January, the city has hired 26 full-time officers and one part-time officer and expects to bring on 10 more by year’s end. If those hires are completed, five vacancies would remain — all tied to the 15 additional positions the commission approved three years ago to expand the department’s authorized headcount.

“It’s the most police officers we’ve hired in one year,” Elejabarrieta said. “Even if we don’t hire another one this year, this has been a record-setting effort.” Hudak called the push a “team victory.” “For a department of 300 to hire 10 percent of its workforce in a single year is amazing,” he said.

Recruitment in a competitive market

South Florida police departments have faced sustained recruitment challenges in recent years. Cities from Miami to Fort Lauderdale have adjusted pay scales, offered signing bonuses, and expanded outreach in an effort to draw qualified candidates. Coral Gables faced similar obstacles at the start of the year, particularly after adding positions to its authorized strength.

The department has relied on regional recruiting drives, outreach to academy graduates, and transfers from other agencies to meet its goals. City officials emphasized that the new hires will allow Coral Gables to strengthen coverage in high-demand areas such as downtown, where foot traffic and commercial activity have grown steadily.

Crime update

Responding to a question from Mayor Vince Lago, Hudak said overall crime is down roughly 14 percent compared with last year. He credited targeted efforts by the crime suppression team, expanded downtown patrols, and the deployment of drone surveillance.

“Residents feel better when they see us out there,” Hudak said, adding that the next step is to train and integrate the newest hires. During a separate update on the mounted unit, Hudak joked, “It’s easier hiring people than horses.”

Coral Gables has historically reported some of the lowest crime rates in Miami-Dade County. Date for 2024 released earlier this summer showed a 14.3 percent drop in total reported crime compared with the previous year, with burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and vandalism all posting double-digit decreases. Robberies fell from 17 to 5, and motor vehicle theft dropped by more than 26 percent.”

Pay and retention debate

A discussion on pay and public safety contracts grew tense during the commission meeting.

Commissioner Melissa Castro presented data indicating Coral Gables has improved starting pay for officers but lags neighboring municipalities after several years of service. “We’re doing better in year one,” she said. “But the challenge is retention. To keep officers long-term, we need to remain competitive.”

Mayor Lago defended the city’s compensation strategy, saying recent raises and bonuses have improved the pay scale and noting the city has maintained one of the lowest crime rates in the county. He also said his prior “too rich for my blood” comment referred to a fire department contract, not the police.

The exchange escalated when Castro accused the mayor of lying, repeating the charge. Commissioner Richard Lara interjected and urged more decorum. “Under no circumstances is it appropriate to call a colleague a liar. You can say facts were misstated or recalled incorrectly, but we need to raise the bar and bring civility back to these discussions.”

Lago said he did not need to respond directly and that staff presentations made his points. He added that he looks forward to approaching upcoming police contract negotiations “in a positive way.”

Motorcycle lease approved

In other police business, the commission unanimously approved a three-year lease for 11 2025 Harley-Davidson FLHP motorcycles for the Motor Unit. The $346,500 agreement with Peterson’s Harley-Davidson of Miami — the only local dealership authorized to lease and service law-enforcement motorcycles in Miami-Dade County — includes full maintenance, parts, and labor.

The lease also covers transfer and installation of existing equipment, including radars, radios, and cameras, at no additional cost. The new bikes will replace the department’s 2022 models when that lease expires in October 2025.

Motorcycles are a visible part of the department’s traffic enforcement and ceremonial presence. Hudak told commissioners that replacing the fleet on schedule ensures officer safety and reduces long-term maintenance costs.