Chief Delsa R. Bush was appointed Chief of Police of the West Palm Beach Police Department on January 30, 2004 by Mayor Lois Frankel having served her entire career within the agency. She was hired in 1983 becoming the department's first African American female police officer.

During the course of her 22 year career she has gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience from service within the numerous units she has worked in.. She served several years as a road patrol officer and when not on routine patrol, she was used in an undercover capacity conducting drug buys and targeting drug gangs. in 1987 she received a special assignment to that of Field Training Officer, one of the few females in the field training unit.

In 1989 she was promoted to the rank of sergeant and remained in the patrol division until her assignment in 1992 to the Criminal Investigations Bureau. As a Detective Sergeant she was assigned to supervise multiple sections including the crime against children, property crimes and violent crimes.

In 1995, she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and placed in command of the Community Oriented Policing Section. She was responsible for implementing the departments Weed and Seed program one of only two in the state at that time. She was also responsible for the Community Oriented Policing Section as well as Code Enforcement.

In 1997 she was appointed to the rank of Captain becoming the departments first female to attain the rank in the departments history where she commanded the department's north district in the patrol division. Her appointment to the rank of Assistant Chief in 2002 made her the first female to hold that position in the department as well. During her tenure as an Assistant Chief, she served as the Commander of the Support Services Bureau where she was responsible for the fiscal services section, dispatch operations, staff services, and management information systems.

During her career, she has pursued her educational and training goals. She holds a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Florida Atlantic University, a Masters degree in criminal Justice administration from Lynn University (Boca Raton) and is currently a PhD candidate at Lynn University. She is also a graduate of the internationally renowned FBI National Academy.

Chief Bush is the recipient of numerous awards which include the Minority Law Enforcement Councils Officer of the year, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Women in Leadership Award, the Greater Palm Beaches Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Ruby Award and the Florida Atlantic University National Alumni Association 2005 Distinguished Alumna Award. She believes in volunteerism and giving back to her community. Toward that end, she serves on the board of several civic and not for profit organizations which includes the Girl Scouts Council of Palm Glades and the board of directors of the YWCA. She is also a member of numerous professional and civic organizations which include the Kiwanis, the Urban League, NOBLE and the IACP.

Contact the West Palm Beach Police Department at:
600 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Non-emergency line: (561) 822.1900