Chief of Police Mariano Augello
Executive Division

After serving the U.S. Army, Chief Mariano Augello joined the Palm Bay Police Department in 2000. During his career, he has served in many capacities to include Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Corporal, and Neighborhood Policing Unit Coordinator. In 2006, he was promoted to Sergeant supervising in Patrol, Neighborhood Policing Unit, Crime Suppression Unit and Internal Affairs. In 2011, he was promoted to Lieutenant and served in Patrol as a Watch Commander, Special Operations and Criminal Investigations. He was promoted to Commander in 2017 and was assigned to the Special Operations Division and Uniform Services Division. In 2019, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Police. Chief Augello was a long-standing member of the SWAT Team, serving time as the team’s commander.

Chief Augello has graduated from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Leadership Academy, Senior Manager Institute of Police, Florida State University’s Center for Public Management, and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Barry University in administration. In 2016, he was the recipient of the City of Palm Bay City Manager’s Award of Excellence.

Email: Mariano.Augello@palmbayflorida.org
Phone: (321) 952-3458

Deputy Chief Jeff Spears
Executive Division

Deputy Chief Jeff Spears was born and raised in Palm Bay, graduating from Palm Bay High School. He attended the police academy at Eastern Florida State College and started his law enforcement career with the Palm Bay Police Department in 2010.

Deputy Chief Spears quickly established himself as a leader among his peers, serving in many capacities to include patrol officer, crime suppression, special operations, field training officer, and patrol corporal. He was promoted to sergeant in 2015. In this role, Deputy Chief Spears served as a patrol supervisor, internal affairs investigator, and supervisor of the Major Case Unit. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2020 and served as a patrol watch commander and Public Information Officer assigned to the Community Services Division. Upon his promotion to commander in 2022, he was assigned to the Community Services Division, Uniform Services Division and Support Services Division. He was appointed the Deputy Chief of Police in 2024. 
Deputy Chief Spears has served on the Palm Bay Police Explorers Board, FOP Executive Board and as a member of the SWAT Team. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is an award recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series, a graduate of the Senior Management Institute of Police, session 84 and a graduate the FBI’s National Academy, session 192. 

Commanders

Commander Greg Latulippe
Investigations Division

Commander Greg Latulippe is a Palm Bay native who joined the Palm Bay Police Department in January 1997. While serving as an officer he filled the positions of patrolman, field training officer, special victims detective, corporal, and narcotics agent. In 2000, he was selected as a SWAT team member; promoted to sergeant in 2006; promoted in 2010 to lieutenant; and in 2018 promoted to commander.

Commander Latulippe graduated from Eastern Florida State College with an associate degree in criminal justice technology; graduated from Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Leadership Academy; graduated from Southern Police Institute Command Officer's Development Course, 83rd Session and also graduated as a certified public manager from Florida State University. 

Commander Latulippe is currently assigned to the Investigations Division which includes Special Victims, Major Case, Special Investigations, Crime Suppression, General Crimes, Crime Analyst, and the Crime Scene Units.

Email: Greg.Latulippe@palmbayflorida.org
Phone: (321) 952-3462

Lieutenant Thomas Ribnicky began his career at the Palm Bay Police Department in 2001. During this time he has served in numerous positions including: patrol officer, field training officer, honor guard member, crime suppression, traffic, field training coordinator, patrol corporal/sergeant, general crimes detective/sergeant, special operations sergeant and internal affairs sergeant. As a lieutenant, he served as a patrol watch commander and within the Investigations Division. In 2024, he was promoted to Commander and is currently assigned to the Uniform Services Division.

Lieutenant Ribnicky was named the 2016 Palm Bay Police Department Officer of the Year and was a Medal of Valor recipient.

Email: Thomas.Ribnicky@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Nick Szczepanski was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He attended the police academy at Florida State College at Jacksonville. He began his career with the Palm Bay Police Department in 2009.

Lieutenant Szczepanski has served as a patrol officer, patrol corporal, special operations officer, and Special Investigations Unit Narcotics Agent. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2019 and assigned to the Special Investigations Unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2022 and served as a patrol watch commander and administrative lieutenant within the Uniform Services Division. In 2024, he was promoted to Commander and is currently assigned to the Community Services Division.

Lieutenant Szczepanski served on the FOP Executive Board as the officer representative and a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series after completing the supervisor, command, and executive leadership courses. He was named the Palm Bay Police Department 2014 Officer of the Year and holds a Master of Science in Justice Administration from University of the Cumberland’s.

Email: Nick.Szczepanski@palmbayflorida.org

Commander Mike Roberts
Support Services Division

After serving in the U.S. Army, Commander Michael Roberts joined the Palm Bay Police Department in 2005. During his career, he has served in many capacities, including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Corporal, Crime Suppression Officer, and Training Officer. In 2013, he was promoted to Sergeant supervising in Patrol, the Special Victim’s Unit, and the Accreditation Unit. In 2022, he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as the Community Services Division Lieutenant overseeing the Community Resource Unit, Traffic Unit, Youth Services Unit, VCOP Program, and served as the Public Information Officer and Special Events Coordinator. He was later assigned as a watch commander in the Uniform Services Division. Commander Roberts was a long-standing member of the Crisis Negotiations Team, serving time as the team’s commander. Commander Roberts was promoted in January 2025 and is currently assigned to the Support Services Division.

Commander Roberts graduated from Eastern Florida State College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from American Military University in Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude. Commander Roberts was a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series in 2024 and graduated from the Senior Management Institute of Policing (SMIP).

Email: Michael.Roberts@pbfl.org

Lieutenants

Lieutenant Cliff Graves
Uniform Services Division

Lieutenant Cliff Graves began his law enforcement career in the state of Massachusetts in 1994. He joined the Palm Bay Police Department in 2005. During his time with the Palm Bay Police Department he has served in numerous positions including: patrol officer, field training officer, crime suppression, special investigation agent, patrol corporal, patrol sergeant, special operations sergeant, and special operations lieutenant. He has served as a patrol watch commander and has beenassigned to the Training and Recruiting Section. He also serves as the SWAT Team Commander.

Lieutenant Graves was named the Palm Bay Police Department 2006 Officer of the Year and Medal of Valor recipient. He has further received numerous meritorious service, commendation and unit citation awards.

Lieutenant Graves holds an Associates of Science degree in criminal justice, graduated from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Leadership Academy, FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute, National Tactical Officer Association SWAT Command Decision-Making and Leadership.

Email: Cliff.Graves@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Gregory Leonard
Uniform Services Division

Lieutenant Greg Leonard has been serving with the Palm Bay Police since 2007. Prior to his employment with Palm Bay he served as a deputy sheriff for the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department in NY.  Lieutenant Leonard is currently the watch commander. He is also the team commander of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team, which conducts stress management debriefings with officers who have been involved in high stress critical incidents. The CISM process is designed to mitigate stress related to PTSD. Lieutenant Leonard is also active in connecting with various community organizations and residents to improve and foster a healthy relationship between the community and the police department. He has served in the Investigations Division and is currently assigned to the Uniform Services Division.

Email: Gregory.Leonard@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Michael Smith
Training and Recruiting Section 

Lieutenant Michael Smith began his career with the Palm Bay Police Department in 2007 and served as a patrol officer and field training officer.  He was promoted to sergeant in 2013 and served as the internal affairs sergeant from 2015-2017.  Smith was promoted to lieutenant in 2017 and served as the Department's PIO and patrol watch commander.

Lieutenant Smith is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 85^th Command Officer Development course and holds bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and political science from Rhode Island College.  He is a state certified firearms instructor and has taught various topics at the Eastern Florida State College Police Academy.  Lieutenant Smith also instructs Verbal Judo/de-escalation courses within the agency, city departments, and community.  Lieutenant Smith is a proud recipient of the Life Saving Award. He is currently assigned to the Training and Recruiting Section. 

 Email: Michael.Smith@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Virginia Kilmer
Community Services Division

Lieutenant Virginia Kilmer is a veteran of the United States Air Force and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University. She began her career with the Palm Bay Police Department as a part time Records Technician in 2009. In 2010, she was sworn-in as a certified law enforcement officer. She served as a patrol officer and a Major Case Detective before being assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. While serving as the FBI liaison, she assisted with the Pulse Nightclub Shooting investigation. During this time, Kilmer earned her Master of Arts in Intelligence and Terrorism Studies from the American Military University. 

In 2019, Lieutenant Kilmer was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In this role, she served as a Patrol Sergeant before transitioning to the Support Services Division as the supervisor of the Training Unit. During her tenure in training, Lieutenant Kilmer supervised and assisted with recruiting, background investigations, field training and in-service training. She also created a mentorship program for incoming police recruits.

Kilmer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2021 and served as a watch commander. She is currently assigned to the Community Services Division and served as the agency’s Public Information Officer. Lieutenant Kilmer is a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series, the lead advisor for the Palm Bay Police Explorer program, and a Team Leader with the Crisis Negotiations Team.

Email: Virginia.Kilmer@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Pierre “Pete” Richer graduated from Eau Gallie High School and attended the police academy at Eastern Florida State College. He began his career with the Palm Bay Police Department in 2010 and served as a patrol officer, command post team member, field training officer and patrol corporal.  He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2018 then served as the internal affairs sergeant from 2019-2023.  He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2023 and served as a patrol watch commander. He is currently serving as the administrative lieutenant in the Uniform Services Division. 

Lieutenant Richer holds an associate’s degree, in criminal justice from Eastern Gateway College in Youngstown Ohio. He is a state certified emergency vehicle driving instructor. He has received numerous meritorious service, commendation and unit citation awards.

Email: Pierre.Richer@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Marlena Hentschel is a long-time Florida resident, spending most of her life in Central Florida. Lieutenant Hentschel graduated from Palm Bay High School and attended the police academy at the Institute of Criminal Justice in Key West, FL. She began her career with the Palm Bay Police Department in 2004. Before her employment with Palm Bay, she was a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy sheriff.  

During her tenure, Lieutenant Hentschel has served in many capacities, including patrol officer, field training officer, crime suppression, special operations, and general crime units. Lt. Hentschel was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2014. In this role, she served as a patrol supervisor. She was later selected to supervise the Special Victim and Crime Scene Units.

Lt. Hentschel is currently assigned to the Investigations Division, managing the Special Victim’s Unit, General Crimes Unit, Crime Scene and Evidence Unit, and Crime Intel Unit.

Lt. Hentschel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Administration from Barry University and is pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Email: Marlena.Hentschel@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Jones joined the Palm Bay Police Department in January of 2004. During his tenure with the department, he has served as an Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Uniform Services Division Corporal, Major Case Detective, Major Case Corporal / Detective, and Patrol Sergeant. On April 1st, 2024, he was promoted to Lieutenant where he will oversee the Major Case Unit, Crime Suppression Unit, Special Investigations Unit and Specialized Task Force Officers within the Investigations Division.

Lieutenant Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from Warner University in Organizational Management. Lieutenant Jones is a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series.

Email: Lewis.Jones@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Eakins attended the police academy at Eastern Florida State College and began his career at the Palm Bay Police Department in 2015. During this time, he has served as a patrol officer, Field Training Officer, and patrol Corporal. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2021 and assigned to the Uniform Services Division. In 2023 he served as the agency’s Internal Affairs Sergeant until he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2024. Lieutenant Eakins is currently assigned as a patrol watch commander.

Lieutenant Eakins has also been an active member of the Underwater Recovery Team since 2015 and is currently the team’s direct supervisor.

Email: Scott.Eakins@palmbayflorida.org

Lieutenant Shane Mertens, a lifelong resident of Palm Bay, began his law enforcement journey in January 2011 at the Police Academy of Eastern Florida State College. He officially joined the Palm Bay Police Department in August of the same year.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Lieutenant Mertens has served in a variety of roles including Patrol Officer, Crime Suppression Officer, Special Operations Officer, Field Training Officer and Patrol Corporal. In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he served in Patrol, Crime Suppression, and the Special Victims Unit.

In 2025, Lieutenant Mertens was promoted to Lieutenant and now serves as the Night Shift Watch Commander for the Uniform Services Division. A dedicated professional, he is a graduate of the prestigious FBI-LEEDA Trilogy program, has served on the FOP Executive Board, and is an active member of the department’s Peer Support Team.
Lieutenant Mertens has also been an integral part of the department’s SWAT team since 2012, where he has held multiple leadership roles and currently serves as the Assistant Commander.

Email: Shane.Mertens@palmbayflorida.org