Joe LaPorte was appointed Chief of Police for the Town of Hardwick on January 7, 2008 after serving the North Miami
Police Department for over 24 years.
Joe LaPorte began his law enforcement career in 1983 and worked in nearly every facet of policing. He has worked in
Patrol, Investigations, and Community Patrol. In 1992, LaPorte was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and
supervised Patrol and Community Resources Units. In 1999, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and a year
later was appointed as the Administrative Lieutenant, where he spent the majority of the next eight years. During that
period, he commanded the Office of Professional Compliance division and reported directly to the Chief of Police. He
investigated complex cases involving major allegations of City employee misconduct and had an excellent working
relationship with members of the Dade County State Attorney's Public Corruptions Unit. Additionally, LaPorte was
responsible for conducting staff inspections, training seminars, and was the Department's Emergency Management
Coordinator and liaison with Miami-Dade County's Office of Emergency Management.
One of Chief LaPorte's goal's is to improve officer safety and increase the community policing philosophy within the
Hardwick Police Department The Department has shifted its focus from a traditional policing style to a community
oriented role where officers are involved in foot patrols in the business districts. Officers also participate in routine
visits to the area schools and work in partnership with AWARE, the Hardwick Community Coalition, and the
Restorative Justice program. Recognizing a long-standing problem with the police radio communications in a
mountainous terrain, Chief LaPorte has implemented major changes to enhance the reliability of the radio system so
that officers can effectively communicate with dispatchers. He added 100 watt mobile repeaters to the cruisers so that
officers' hand-held radios would have more range in higher elevations.
A native Miamian, Chief LaPorte attended Miami Killian High and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at
Florida International University (FIU). He later attained his Master’s degree in Public Administration from FIU. Chief
LaPorte graduated from the 42nd Command Officers Development Course at the Southern Police Institute. He is a
member of the International Association of Chief's of Police (IACP) and the Vermont Police Chief's Association.
Police Department for over 24 years.
Joe LaPorte began his law enforcement career in 1983 and worked in nearly every facet of policing. He has worked in
Patrol, Investigations, and Community Patrol. In 1992, LaPorte was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and
supervised Patrol and Community Resources Units. In 1999, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and a year
later was appointed as the Administrative Lieutenant, where he spent the majority of the next eight years. During that
period, he commanded the Office of Professional Compliance division and reported directly to the Chief of Police. He
investigated complex cases involving major allegations of City employee misconduct and had an excellent working
relationship with members of the Dade County State Attorney's Public Corruptions Unit. Additionally, LaPorte was
responsible for conducting staff inspections, training seminars, and was the Department's Emergency Management
Coordinator and liaison with Miami-Dade County's Office of Emergency Management.
One of Chief LaPorte's goal's is to improve officer safety and increase the community policing philosophy within the
Hardwick Police Department The Department has shifted its focus from a traditional policing style to a community
oriented role where officers are involved in foot patrols in the business districts. Officers also participate in routine
visits to the area schools and work in partnership with AWARE, the Hardwick Community Coalition, and the
Restorative Justice program. Recognizing a long-standing problem with the police radio communications in a
mountainous terrain, Chief LaPorte has implemented major changes to enhance the reliability of the radio system so
that officers can effectively communicate with dispatchers. He added 100 watt mobile repeaters to the cruisers so that
officers' hand-held radios would have more range in higher elevations.
A native Miamian, Chief LaPorte attended Miami Killian High and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at
Florida International University (FIU). He later attained his Master’s degree in Public Administration from FIU. Chief
LaPorte graduated from the 42nd Command Officers Development Course at the Southern Police Institute. He is a
member of the International Association of Chief's of Police (IACP) and the Vermont Police Chief's Association.
