Chief Jose J. Vargas has proudly served the City of Pembroke Pines since 2001.
During his time with the Pembroke Pines Police Department Chief Vargas has held the following positions, including ranks & specialized units: Operations Bureau Major, Administration Bureau Major, Special Operations Division Captain, SWAT Commander, Patrol Captain, Sergeant of the Vice, Intelligence, and Narcotics (VIN) Unit, Anti-Terrorism & Intelligence, Field Training Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, Motor Officer, Traffic Homicide Investigator, Crisis Response Team Negotiator, Field Force, and Patrol Officer.
Chief Vargas holds the following degrees: Doctorate in Leadership & Management from Saint Thomas University, Master of Public Administration from Barry University, Bachelor in Psychology & Sociology from Florida Atlantic University, Associate of Arts from Broward College, and a Certificate of Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.
Chief Vargas is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 281 and has completed the Command Officers Development course with the University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute, the Executive Leadership Program with Nova Southeastern University, Leadership in Police Organizations training with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Florida Leadership Academy with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Chief Vargas is a recipient of the Life Saving Award, Chief’s Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, Administrative Excellence Award, and was named Officer of the Year in 2008. He also received the Director’s Award for Academic Excellence from the Southern Police Institute and several special recognitions from the community.
Chief Jose J. Vargas was sworn in as the City's 10th Chief of Police on February 21, 2024.