Administrative Staff

Police Chief Ross Licata

On August 4, 2003 Ross Licata was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Lighthouse Point by Mayor Fred Schorr. Chief Licata began his law enforcement career with the Delray Beach Police Department where he served for over 26 years. During that time he served in patrol, criminal investigations and community policing ultimately rising through the ranks to the position of District Commander where he oversaw a Community Patrol District and the Department’s Support Services Division. Chief Licata holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University and is a graduate from the 197th Session of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard) and the 10th Command Officers Development Course (Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville). Chief Licata is a member of the Broward County Chief’s of Police Association, Florida Police Chief’s and International Association of Chief’s of Police.

Commander Jack Vaccaro

Commander Jack Vaccaro began his law enforcement career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department in 1992. During his career, he has served as Patrol Officer, Marine Patrol Officer, Community Policing Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Training Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Commander Vaccaro currently serves as the Operations/Patrol Commander and supervises the Patrol Division, Marine Patrol, and Communications. In addition, Commander Vaccaro serves as the Emergency Operations Coordinator and the Professional Standards Commander and oversees all internal affairs investigations. Commander Vaccaro holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. Commander Vaccaro is a graduate of the 249th Session of the FBI National Academy and the Center for Advanced Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Program, Florida Atlantic University, and is an associate member of the Broward County Chief’s of Police Association.

Commander Chris Oh

Commander Christopher Oh is a highly respected law enforcement officer with over 30 years of experience in the field. He began his career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department in 1992 and quickly established himself as a dedicated and effective member of the force. After three years of service, Commander Oh joined the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, where he served on patrol, marine patrol, gang unit, entry team, and as a school resource officer. His outstanding work earned him the Officer of the Year award in 1997.

In 2000, Commander Oh returned to the Lighthouse Point Police Department, where he has continued to excel in a variety of roles. He has served on patrol, in the Community Policing Unit, as a Field Training Officer, Marine Patrol, as a Patrol Sergeant, Training Sergeant, Lieutenant, and currently serves as the Commander over the Department’s Administrative Services Division. In this capacity, he oversees criminal investigations, accreditation, training, volunteer program, and the agency’s Community Policing Unit. Commander Oh is a highly decorated officer, having been awarded Officer of the Year for the Lighthouse Point Police Department in 2003. He is also the department’s Accreditation Manager and a graduate of the Center for Advanced Criminal Justice Studies, Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Program, at Florida Atlantic University.

Administrative Sergeant David Dyess

Sergeant David Dyess has been in law enforcement for over 20 years. Sgt. Dyess started his career with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in 1995. In 2000 Sgt. Dyess joined the Lighthouse Police Department and has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and currently serves as the Sergeant in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division.  Sergeant Dyess has been the Officer of the Year recipient twice during his career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department, first as a road patrol Officer in 2007 and then as a Detective in 2011.

Training and Planning Sergeant Curt Lai

Sgt. Lai served in the United States Navy as an avionics technician for six years, three on active duty, before embarking on a career in public service that has spanned over 30 years.  Sgt. Lai previously worked as a 911 operator with the Plantation Police Department, a Corrections Deputy with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and a Patrol Agent with the U.S. Border Patrol. Sgt. Lai began his career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department in 2000 and has served as a Patrol Officer, Corporal, Field Training Officer, D.E.A. Task Force Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and currently serves as the department’s Training Sergeant. Sgt. Lai holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Florida and a Master of Emergency and Crisis Management from the University of Central Florida. In 2010 Sgt. Lai was awarded the Medal of Honor along with Officer of the Year for both the Lighthouse Point Police Department and the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association. Sgt. Lai is a graduate of F.D.L.E.’s Florida Leadership Academy (Class 5) and a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers and FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Gianino

Sergeant Andrew Gianino has been a law enforcement officer for the Lighthouse Point Police Department since 2013. Sergeant Gianino has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and currently serves as the sergeant in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division.  Sergeant Gianino has received numerous awards and commendations including Officer of the Year in 2014 and 2017, 2018 Broward County Crime Commission Detective of the Year, 2018 ASIS International Law Enforcement Award, and 2021 Broward County Police Benevolent Officer of the Year Award.

Patrol Sergeant Kevin Hancock

Sergeant Kevin Hancock is an experienced law enforcement officer with a long and distinguished career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department. He began his career as a Patrol Officer in 2003 and has since served in a variety of roles such as, Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Community Police Officer, Detective, Street Crimes, Corporal and Road Patrol Sergeant. In addition to his work with the department, Sergeant Hancock has been involved with several professional organizations, including the Multi-Agency Honor Guard, Financial Institution Security Association, South Florida Fraud Task Force, and the Florida Safe Families Network. His dedication and commitment to the job have earned him numerous department commendations, including the prestigious Administrative Excellence Award and special recognition by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sergeant Hancock's service to the community and commitment to excellence make him a valued member of the Lighthouse Point Police Department.

Patrol Sergeant Jonathan Esposito

Sergeant Esposito began his law enforcement career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department in 2003.  Starting on patrol, Sgt. Esposito has since worked in the Detective Bureau, the DEA Narcotics Task Force, Community Policing, Patrol Corporal and finally Patrol Sergeant in 2012 where he continues to serve today.  Sergeant Esposito holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University and has been awarded Officer of the Year along with over 36 official commendations and the Life Saving Award.  In addition to his patrol duties, Sgt. Esposito also serves as the Quick Response Force (QRF) Sergeant which specializes in civil unrest disturbances and other high-profile incidents throughout the county.  Sgt. Esposito also assists our training division as a State Certified Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor and he is an active practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Patrol Sergeant Earl Shook

Sergeant Shook joined the Lighthouse Point Police Department in October of 2019 where he served as a Patrol Officer. In July of 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.  

Sergeant Shook began his law enforcement career in 1994 serving the residents of the City of Hallandale Beach.  After completing a full career, he joined the Lighthouse Point Police Department.  Sergeant Shook graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of Florida Leadership Academy, Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course, and Police Executive Research Forum.

Patrol Sergeant Jason Caruso

Sergeant Caruso began his career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department in 2006. Upon completion of the Broward County Police Academy, he received the Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence Award for his class. Since then, he has served the department as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Community Policing Officer, Corporal, Detective and currently as Patrol Sergeant.  Sergeant Caruso holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University and has been awarded Lighthouse Point Police Officer of the Year in 2008 and again in 2016 as well as the department’s Life Saving Award and Administrative Excellence Award. Sergeant Caruso is also the recipient of the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association Officer of the Year award, Broward County Crime Commission Detective of the Year award and ASIS International Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.

Civilian Staff

Administrative Services Manager

Heather Trudel has a long-standing career with the Lighthouse Point Police Department, spanning more than 15 years. Her extensive experience has allowed her to hold several key positions within the department, including Station House Officer and Station House Supervisor, before her promotion to the role of Administrative Services Manager.

As the Administrative Services Manager, Heather oversees a range of sections that are crucial to the successful functioning of the department. Her responsibilities include oversight of the communications division, public records function, fleet management, information technology, and the property and evidence section.

Communications Supervisor

Jessica DeFilippo serves as the Communications Supervisor. She currently oversees a team of 6 full-time Station House Officers in the communications division. With nearly a decade of experience in the field, Jessica is committed to ensuring that her team provides the highest level of service to the community.

 As a communications supervisor, Jessica's role is responsible for ensuring that the communications division operates smoothly and efficiently, with a focus on responding quickly and effectively to emergency situations. The communications division operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing around-the-clock service to those in need.