Assistant Chief Russell Bruce became involved in policing at the early age of fifteen when he joined the Jupiter Police Department to start a junior police cadet program. He was employed by the Police Department in various capacities while attending high school and later college.

Assistant Chief Bruce joined the West Palm Beach Police Department in July, 1978 after graduating from Florida State University. He worked several months as a dispatcher and jailer prior to being assigned to the patrol division. He served as a uniformed patrol officer, field training officer and adjunct instructor for the police department’s training division.

In 1980 Assistant Chief Bruce was assigned to the newly formed police department SWAT Team. He has held numerous positions on the team and worked in all supervisory capacities up to his present position as Assistant Chief. He was also a member of the police departments underwater search and recovery team as an officer and sergeant.

June 1983, promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. He later became a member of the “Major Case Squad” and the “Police Shooting Team,” which was responsible for the investigation of all police officer involved shootings as well as “in-custody” death investigations.

April 1986, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During his tenure as a lieutenant he worked as a Patrol Division Shift Commander and Commander of the Staff Service Division which was responsible for departmental training and hiring.

February 1993, appointed to the rank of Captain and worked in the following positions: Commander of the Staff Services Division; Commander of the Organized Crime Division; Commander of the Community Response; Patrol District Commander.

December 1996, appointed to Assistant Chief of Police working in the following assignments: Chief of the Community Services Bureau; Chief of the Field Operations Bureau; and current assignment, Chief of the Investigative Services Bureau.

Assistant Chief Bruce is a state-certified criminal justice instructor who has instructed throughout the state and been a presenter at national and international policing conferences.

Assistant Chief Bruce obtained his A.S. degree in Law Enforcement from Palm Beach Community College; B.S. degree in Criminology from Florida State University and his M.S. degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lynn University. He is a graduate of the 76th administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville as well as a graduate of the 187th session of the F.B.I National Academy.

Assistant Chief Bruce is a member of the local, state and International Associations of Police Chiefs as well as various other law enforcement associations.