Arley Flaherty, Deputy Chief of Police

Deputy Chief of Police Arley Flaherty began her law enforcement career in 2002 as the only female police officer with the Miccosukee Police Department before joining the Miami Beach Police Department in 2004. During her career, she has been assigned to the Patrol Operations Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Support Service Division, and the Office of the Chief of Police within the agency. Arley has served in a variety of capacities including Uniformed Patrol Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, Public Information Officer, Undercover Vice Narcotics Detective within the Strategic Investigation Unit and subsequently detached as a unit member to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s South Florida Money Laundering Task Force.

As a Sergeant of Police, she was assigned to Patrol Operations, before being transferred shortly thereafter, to oversee and command the department’s Lincoln Road/City Center Redevelopment Area (RDA). The RDA’s core fundamentals are community policing. Most recently, Arley oversaw the Background & Recruitment Unit where her efforts along with those of her team contributed to the hiring of the sworn & non-sworn personnel that make up the police department.

Arley is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. In 2013, Florida’s Governor Rick Scott recognized her for her efforts in fighting Human Trafficking. Arley is a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police- Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) and the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI). During her tenure, she served as a trustee and 1st Vice President of the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police-Lodge #8.

Deputy Chief of Police Arley Flaherty has a profound belief that being approachable and accessible to members of the community is an essential and effective necessary method for solving problems and fostering relationships and public trust. She strives to provide a positive workplace for the members of the department, which further commits them to provide the best service to the community.

The Communications Unit consists of a Communications Supervisor and three Communications Operators. The unit provides twenty-four hour seven days a week dispatching and receiving calls. The responsibilities are managing all incoming emergency and non-emergency calls through a computer aided dispatch system, dispatching the calls to police personnel, entering crime data into the records management system and providing administration support to the Police Department.

The Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) is the primary investigative branch of the Police Department and works closely with our uniform patrol officers. The specially trained professionals in this Unit are responsible for the investigation and follow up of all crimes reported within the Town of Surfside. The Unit maintains productive partnerships with other local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Public Information Officers (PIO) serve as the liaison between the Department and members of the media. Public Information Officers are responsible for the release of accurate and timely information regarding the activities of the Department to the news media (broadcast and print) and the public. The function of PIO is an integral component of the day-to-day law enforcement operations of the Department, guaranteeing that the avenues of communication are consistently open among the Department, the media and the community.

The Patrol Division is the most visible section of the Police Department, providing around the clock routine and emergency services to the community with an emphasis on accountability, maximization of resources, and community relations through progressive policing. Our officers patrol a residential community incorporating single family homes and condominiums, a business district with retail, specialty boutiques and restaurants, and public beach. Officers utilize a variety of specialized equipment to patrol the different areas maintaining a high level of visibility and bringing them closer to those we serve.