Florida Chapter
Chapter News
At the Florida Police Chiefs Summer Conference three FBINAA members were recognized for their contribution to the Law Enforcement Profession.
The Chief Executive Officer Award was renamed to honor one of our members, and is now known as the William B. Berger Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year Award. Chief Berger has throughout his career served in many executive roles, continued to improve the Law Enforcement profession and is a proud graduate of NA Session 132. The recipient of the inaugural year for the William B. Berger Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year was Chief Orlando Rolon, NA Session 263.
L-R: U.S. Marshal Bill Berger; Chief Orlando Rolón, Orlando Police Department; Director Stephan Dembinsky, Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department, FPCA Immediate Past President
Chief Richard Beary, NA Session 143, received the FPCA Wall of Honor award for his distinguished membership and contributions to the FPCA. Richard Beary has made contributions, improving the profession on a local, state, national and international level with his leadership positions in the local agencies, the FPCA, and during his tenure as the IACP President.
L-R: Retired Chief Richard Beary; Director Stephan Dembinsky, Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department, FPCA Immediate Past President
Promotions
Chief Raul Ubieta
Chief Raul Ubieta, NA Session 227, has been appointed as the Chief of Police of the Doral Police Department on August 26, 2022, after serving as the Deputy Chief. Police Chief Ubieta has over 35 years of law enforcement experience. He began his law enforcement career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 1981 as a civilian. In 1983, he joined the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) and retired honorably in 2016, after rising to the rank of Police Major. Police Chief Ubieta’s last assignment with MDPD was as the Director of the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute (MDPSTI).
Chief Robert Bage
Chief Robert Bage, NA Session 248, has been elected as the 3rd Vice President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA). Chief Bage is currently the Police Chief for the City of Fort Walton Beach Police Department with over 20 years of experience Congratulations, Chief Bage!
Sheriff Dennis Lemma
Sheriff Dennis Lemma – from Seminole County, was elected President of the Major County Sheriffs of America Association (MCSA). Sheriff Lemma was a graduate of the NA Session 236. Congratulations and best of luck, Sheriff Lemma!
Retirements
Chief Deputy George Steffen
Chief Deputy George Steffen, NA Session 223, has retired from his position at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office after 33 years of service. Congratulations and best of luck on your retirement, Chief Steffen!
Passings
Dale Edward Croy, Sr.
Dale Edward Croy, Sr., NA Session 89, passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2022. Dale Cory served as the FBINAA Florida Chapter President in 1989.
After a brief time with Tampa Police Department, the Chief of Police sent him, on a temporary assignment, to the State Attorney’s Office, Sixth Judicial Circuit, an assignment that would span more than three decades. He was known as the Dean of all State Attorney Chief Criminal Investigators throughout the State of Florida. Rest in Peace.
Major Stephen Joseph Reuther
Major Stephen Joseph Reuther, NA Session 214, died July 30, 2022, in Fort Pierce, Florida. Major Reuther (Ret.) in 2013 from the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office after 32 years of service.