Chief Diane Hobley-Burney: Leading Fort Pierce with Compassion, Community, and Real Results

Chief Diane Hobley-Burney

When Chief Diane Hobley-Burney took over the Fort Pierce Police Department in 2015, she didn’t just take on a leadership role—she set out to transform a community. From day one, she prioritized community engagement, officer development, and building trust between the police and the public. It’s a level of dedication that most cities and police departments can only dream of.

Let’s be clear: most communities don’t have a police chief like Diane Hobley-Burney. In many cities, chiefs are distant figures who show up only when things go wrong. But in Fort Pierce, Chief Hobley-Burney has become a pillar of support, leadership, and change.

Changing the Culture from the Inside Out

One of the most impressive things about Chief Hobley-Burney is her commitment to building from within. When she first took office, she did something that most leaders wouldn’t even consider—she sat down with every single officer one-on-one. She wanted to know their concerns, their frustrations, and their ideas for how to make the department better.

During those meetings, officers expressed a lack of morale due to outdated equipment, old patrol vehicles, inadequate technology, and low wages. Rather than brush these issues aside, Chief Hobley-Burney got to work. She pushed for new vehicles, updated laptops, cell phones, and other essential tools to help officers do their jobs more effectively.

And when it came time to address the pay gap, she didn’t just talk about the problem—she made a personal sacrifice. When the city council only approved a 4% raise for officers, she took a 4% pay cut herself so that officers could receive an 8% increase instead. That’s not just leadership—it’s leading by example.

Lifting Up the Community, One Program at a Time

Chief Diane Hobley-Burney at a community event

Chief Hobley-Burney understands that building safer neighborhoods means creating a real partnership between law enforcement and the community. That’s why she has launched and expanded numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting Fort Pierce’s youth and building trust among residents.

Take the Community Engagement Unit, for example. Under her leadership, the unit grew from four to six officers, actively participating in over 126 community events and positively impacting more than 14,000 residents. This includes activities like the Torch Run for Special Olympics, the Juneteenth Peace Walk, the Unity in Our Community Memorial, and the Shop with a Cop program.

Another standout initiative is the R.I.C.H. House Program, where youth learn about peer pressure, goal setting, self-esteem, and managing emotions. It’s a program that not only teaches life skills but also bridges the gap between young people and the officers who serve their community.

And it’s not just about hosting events—it’s about fostering real relationships. Her annual Unity in Our Community event brings residents together with law enforcement for a day of resource sharing, entertainment, and open dialogue. It’s a space where people feel seen and heard, and where police aren’t just authority figures—they’re neighbors.

Results That Speak for Themselves

One of the most significant achievements under Chief Hobley-Burney’s leadership is the nearly 50% reduction in serious crime between 2015 and 2023. That’s not a small accomplishment—that’s transformative. While previous chiefs focused primarily on reactive policing, Chief Hobley-Burney embraced a proactive, community-oriented approach.

She implemented Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies, focusing on improving environmental factors like lighting, surveillance, and community awareness to reduce crime. She also spearheaded programs like Neighborhood Watch, Front Porch Roll Call, Chief’s BBQ, and Courageous Kids. These initiatives help build a sense of community ownership and encourage residents to look out for one another.

Challenging the Status Quo

Her leadership hasn’t come without challenges. In a department long dominated by men, Chief Hobley-Burney—a Black woman in a position of authority—has faced her share of resistance. Some officers didn’t appreciate her emphasis on advanced education and professional development. There were even reports that some resisted her leadership simply because she was a woman of color.

But Chief Hobley-Burney didn’t back down. She continued to demand excellence from her officers while offering them opportunities to advance through training and mentorship. She pushed for better wages, advocated for safer working conditions, and made it clear that leadership means lifting up the people around you.

It’s also worth noting that while some officers left the department, many have returned—drawn back by the improved conditions and sense of purpose that Chief Hobley-Burney fosters. When morale dipped, it wasn’t because of her leadership—it was because the city wasn’t addressing the systemic financial challenges that affect most departments.

A Legacy of Community and Commitment

Unlike previous chiefs, who maintained the status quo, Chief Hobley-Burney saw the potential to redefine policing in Fort Pierce. Her vision wasn’t just to maintain order but to build community, one relationship at a time.

Under her leadership, Fort Pierce isn’t just safer—it’s more connected, more resilient, and more unified. Her dedication to transparency, community-building, and officer development sets a standard that many other cities would do well to follow.

Where most police chiefs might focus solely on enforcement, Chief Hobley-Burney has created a culture of collaboration. Her impact isn’t just measured in statistics but in the way residents talk about their police force—as a part of the community rather than an outside authority.

It’s rare to find a leader who not only addresses the root causes of crime but also works tirelessly to uplift the people around her. That’s what makes Chief Diane Hobley-Burney’s leadership so vital—not just to Fort Pierce, but as an example for communities everywhere.

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