Riviera Beach police swear in new hires, outline higher hiring standards and upcoming station

Chief Coleman introduced a swearing-in ceremony for new officers and civilian staff at the Riviera Beach Police Department and used the event to announce planned changes to hiring standards and to highlight an upcoming police station project (date not specified).

Coleman said the department will raise hiring standards so that many new officers will be required to arrive with at least an associate degree beginning in 2026 or 2027 (date not specified). He also told attendees the city expects to break ground on a new police station in the summer months and that the project is currently “slightly over budget.”

"Because without honoring our guys, without supporting their families, we can't do our job," Coleman said as he introduced members of his command staff and invited new hires and civilian employees to briefly introduce themselves to the audience.

The city clerk, Deborah Hall, administered oaths of office to the group. New and recently hired staff introduced at the ceremony included communications dispatchers identified as Kennedy, Ashley Harnett, Tanaya Smith and others; officers named in the event included Aaron Pautista, James Simon, Officer Barker, Officer Bermudez and Officer Dalrymple (to be recognized later). Civilian hires and staff recognized included Jennifer Laird, Tammy Sullivan and staff in records and crime-scene roles.

Several speakers described the department's six-month training program for new officers (the FTO program) and the department's practice of recruiting staff from the local area. Coleman highlighted that many crossing guards are Riviera Beach residents and credited them with helping children cross safely each school day. He also emphasized the role of his civilian administrative team in running payroll, records and community programs.

Mayor Lawson told attendees, "Welcome to the city of Riviera Beach. We're honored to have you," and urged community support for officers and their families. The city manager, speaking at the event, said the department is "committed to the badge" and repeated the timeline reference to the new station, while noting the building project faces a budget shortfall.

The ceremony closed with refreshments and an invitation for attendees to meet the new staff. No formal council actions, votes or ordinance adoptions were recorded during the event; the chief's statements about hiring standards and the police station were presented as departmental announcements rather than council directives.

Ending

Organizers said refreshments and a reception followed the swearing-in. The chief asked residents to meet the officers and staff and to support the department as it implements the announced hiring and facility plans.