On April 14, 2008, our officers arrived at Doral Park’s Community Building to begin their orientation. It was very satisfying to look out upon this new force and see over 1,000-years of law enforcement experience in the room. We have attracted some of the finest women and men in the profession today. We have experienced officers from Aventura, Dade County School Board, Hialeah, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, the Department of Alcohol and Tobacco, City of Miami, City

Chief Ricardo Gomez

They received greetings from the Mayor and Council and met the City Manager and other department directors. The theme of team work and thinking outside the box were emphasized, and I must say very well received by our new police force. We are making history together, and they understand that this community wants them here.
One of the major points I stressed was accountability and responsibility. I expect our officers to take ownership of issues and not pass the buck. This is our community, we have come here for all the right reasons, and now we will deliver the best law enforcement service possible.

Our first Police Service Aide class is underway at Miami-Dade College’s North Campus. The women and men who have been selected to fill this role represent the future of our police department inasmuch as they have chosen law enforcement as their profession and will someday take the next step and become police officers. For those people who are unfamiliar with what the purpose of a Police Service Aide is, let me take a moment to explain what they do.

The City of Doral’s Police Department’s Police Service Aide (PSA) is a non-sworn civilian employee. They will wear a distinctive uniform so as to be differentiated from any of our officers. The role of a PSA is to help support the line function be assuming primary responsibility for traffic crash reporting and minor offense investigations. Doral PD will be training PSA’s to process minor crime scenes for latent evidence. Eventually we want our PSA’s to assist with crime scene photography and other support functions so that sworn person can remain within their primary role.

Additionally, PSA’s can be utilized to support any quality of life issue we may be trying to address. PSA’s are authorized to write citations and tow vehicles. The deployment of PSA’s is a force multiplier and helps reduce patrol costs. Their job is to perform non-sworn law enforcement and crime prevention; enforce state and local traffic and parking regulations, perform a wide variety of tasks associated with the reception and support function of the Police Department; to maintain records and do related work as require.

I have mentioned line patrol; this is synonymous with road patrol and is where citizens make their first contact with our officers. The Department’s line patrol is the most important facet of our operation and it is where we have devoted the bulk of our resources and personnel. The officers assigned to patrol have been issued the best possible equipment available to law enforcement officers. Their vehicles are 2008 Crown Victoria’s that are flex fuel, which along with our hybrid Public Service Aid vehicles makes us a green fleet.

The Department will feature two squads of motor officers, and one squad assigned strictly to commercial vehicle enforcement (CVE). Our CVE officers will be receiving specialized training from the Florida Department of Motor Carrier Compliance and they will eventually be able to enforce all commercial vehicle regulations in terms of safety and load regulations.

What this means for our citizens is safer roads; a zero tolerance for trucks violating the route system and safer ingress and egress for those who visit our City. Our businesses must also know that we want to be a partner with them. Our goal is voluntary compliance, and we will do our best to educate first. Once our officers are fully certified, we can assist these businesses with their yearly safety inspections and become a source of information for them so that they can carry on their business safely and efficiently.

On Monday June 2, 2008, we will begin our road operations; I look forward to making history and serving our community in a way that they have longed for. I will be sharing insights with you along the way and hope that you accept your new police department as an ally to improve the quality of life for all of the residents of the City of Doral.

Email Chief Gomez at chiefofpolice@cityofdoral.com