Thank You, Chief Matthew Castillo
The City of Miami Springs is preparing to say goodbye to one of its own. After a year of dedicated service as Police Chief of Miami Springs, Matthew Castillo has accepted the position of Chief of Police for the City of Doral. Even though he will remain a Miami Springs resident, we are saddened to see him step away from our Miami Springs Police Department. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and wish him nothing but success, as he begins this next chapter of his career. Chief Castillo’s leadership has left a lasting mark on Miami Springs. During his tenure, the department secured grants that helped modernize the city’s police vehicle fleet, expanded the city’s camera network to improve public safety, strengthened traffic enforcement through school and speed safety initiatives, and continued to build a department focused on both professionalism and community engagement. These efforts have helped keep Miami Springs one of the safest communities in South Florida.
For many residents, Chief Castillo is more than a police chief and a hometown success story. As someone who was born and raised in Miami Springs, I have known Matthew for most of my life. He may be a year or two older than me, but we grew up playing many of the same
sports, knew many of the same people, and shared the unique experience of growing up in this tight-knit community. Long before he became Chief Castillo, he was simply Matthew—a good person with strong values, a hard worker, and someone who genuinely
cared about the people around him. Most recently, I had the opportunity to shake his hand following a break-in at Uncle Hanks Hideaway. Like he always has, Matthew took the time to personally check in and make sure everything was being handled appropriately. It was a reminder that despite the title and responsibilities that come with being chief, he has never lost the personal touch that has
earned him the respect of so many residents.
Earlier this year, Uncle Hanks Hideaway proudly partnered with the Miami Springs Police Department by offering free ice cream to residents who followed the departments Instagram page. It was a small gesture, but it reflected something important, the strong
relationship that Chief Castillo helped foster between the police department and the community it serves. Leadership is often measured by results, and Chief Castillo certainly delivered those. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment is the trust and respect he earned from residents, business owners, city officials, and the officers who served alongside him.
While Miami Springs will miss his leadership, Doral is gaining an exceptional chief and a great man. Greatness is defined by accomplishment. He has certainly achieved this and will be remembered here in Miami Springs. On behalf of a grateful community, thank you, Chief Castillo, for your service, your dedication, and your commitment to keeping Miami Springs safe. We wish you and your family continued success, happiness, and fulfillment in the years ahead. You will always be chief in our hearts. Congratulations, Chief. You’ve earned it.
— Matthew Curtis
Miami Springs Resident
