SEBASTIAN — Chief Daniel Acosta retired from the Sebastian Police Department on Friday after more than 25 years with the agency, closing out a career that began in 1999. During a de-pinning ceremony marking his departure, Tim Wood was sworn in as interim chief.
Acosta’s law enforcement career started in 1995 when he attended the police academy in Brevard County. He served with the Fellsmere Police Department before joining Sebastian PD. Over the years, he worked nearly every assignment in the department, moving from patrol officer and field training officer to detective, special response team member, and hostage negotiator. He also held supervisory and command posts, including patrol corporal, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, support services commander, and operations captain. In addition, he served as a background investigator and voice stress analyzer operator. Acosta was appointed chief in May 2020.
He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Brevard Community College, now Eastern Florida State College. He later received a bachelor’s degree in administration and a master’s degree in public administration from Barry University. Acosta also completed the Southern Police Institute’s 140th Administrative Officers Course at the University of Louisville and the FBI’s National Command Course.
City officials said Acosta will be remembered for his integrity, compassion, and steady leadership. His work helped shape the department and left a lasting mark on public safety in the community.
Acosta is not leaving city employment. He will begin serving as director of human resources and risk management in June, keeping his institutional knowledge in a different but still critical role for the organization.
Wood takes over as interim chief with the department’s support. The city thanked him for his continued dedication and wished him success leading the agency into its next chapter.
