Port St. Lucie Magazine

Changes and Challenges

Emma Whitten pins her father’s new shield with wife Denise and daughter Brooke looking on proudly.
Emma Whitten pins her father’s new shield with wife Denise and daughter Brooke looking on proudly. PSLPD

New police chief Leo Niemczyk starts the job with high expectations

BY ELLEN GILLETTE

Leo Niemczyk became Port St. Lucie’s police chief in November 2024.
Leo Niemczyk became Port St. Lucie’s police chief in November 2024. RUSTY DURHAM

Law enforcement officers are commonly referred to as LEOs but in the case of Port St. Lucie Police Department’s new chief, the nickname is particularly apropos. Leo Niemczyk was sworn in on November 6, 2024.

Niemczyk grew up on Long Island and became a NYPD officer in 1996. Supporting his growing family, he worked overtime, dealing with big-city crime and traffic, sometimes in minus 20-degree windchill conditions. Five years later, he worked 15-hour days, seven days a week, following 9/11. 

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