The City of Miami Springs is entering a new chapter in its law enforcement leadership. Following the departure of Police Chief Matthew Castillo, who recently accepted the position of Chief of Police for the City of Doral, Miami Springs has turned to one of its own. Deputy Chief Albert Sandoval has officially been appointed as the new Chief of Police, effective June 13, 2026. For many longtime residents, the name Albert Sandoval is synonymous with the Miami Springs Police Department. I can still remember being a teenager at Miami Springs Senior High School, driving around in my souped-up Honda Accord, complete with over-sized rims and an exhaust system that announced my arrival long before I pulled into a parking lot. One afternoon, I was pulled over by a young officer who looked awfully familiar. I remember thinking, wasn’t this guy just walking the halls of Miami Springs High a couple years ago?
That officer was Albert Sandoval. What stood out then, and what has remained true throughout his career, was the way he treated people. He was professional. Respectful. Fair. In the years since, I have never heard anyone describe him as anything other than someone who genuinely cares about this community and the people who call it home. Chief Sandoval is a lifelong Miami Springs resident and a proud graduate of Miami Springs Senior High School Class of 1999. He earned his Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Miami Dade College before completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Florida International University. His journey through the Miami Springs Police Department began in 2001, and over the last 25 years, he has worked his way through nearly every level of the organization.
His experience includes serving as a Public Service Aide, Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, K-9 Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and most recently, Deputy Chief of Police. That type of institutional knowledge cannot be taught. It is earned through years of service, leadership, and a willingness to grow alongside the department and the community it serves. Chief Sandoval has overseen agency operations, personnel management, budgeting, technology initiatives, fleet operations, policy development, and strategic planning. He has managed critical incidents, supervised major investigations, and helped implement initiatives designed to strengthen accountability and improve the delivery of police services.
In 2024, he graduated from the prestigious Southern Police Institute, further demonstrating his commitment to professional development and modern policing practices. Chief Sandovals experience extends well beyond traditional patrol duties. He spent more than 15 years working within the departments K-9 program, serving both as a handler and as an instructor responsible for training future K-9 teams. Throughout his career, he has also served as a certified firearms instructor, TASER instructor, and a proud member of the departments Honor Guard, further reflecting his commitment to mentorship, preparedness, and service. Throughout his career, Chief Sandoval has received numerous commendations recognizing his leadership, innovation, and dedication to community engagement. While the accolades and résumé are impressive, what may matter most to Miami Springs residents think that they know him. They’ve seen him at neighborhood events, in schools, on patrol, and responding to difficult moments. He understands the character of this city because he grew up here. He has dedicated his entire professional career to protecting the same streets where he was raised.
As Chief Matthew Castillo begins his new role in Doral, Miami Springs can take comfort in knowing that the department remains in capable hands. Some leadership transitions bring uncertainty. This one brings confidence. Congratulations to Chief Albert Sandoval on this well-deserved appointment. Miami Springs is fortunate to have a leader whose commitment to this city has already been tested over decades of service. And Chief, on behalf of at least one former teenager with a loud Honda Accord, here hoping our next interaction doesn’t involve flashing lights in the rear-view mirror.
