Applications Being Accepted for Certified Police Officer and Sergeants Positions

By Major Alfred Lewers Jr.

Posted January 1, 2007

The City of Miami Gardens Police Department is now accepting applications for Certified Police Officer and Sergeants' Positions. The application process for these positions is open continuously until all available positions are filled, though sergeants’ candidates will be selected by June 2007. As a result, these candidates are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. The selection process for Police Officers is expected to begin in June 2007, though oral interview dates are expected to be assigned earlier in the year.

The timeline for processing applicants is as follows; the Sergeant’s applicants will be granted oral interviews beginning in March, 2007, with an anticipated hire date of June 2007 for 12 of the 23 supervisor’s positions, with the remaining supervisors being hired by October 1, 2007. Police Officer applicants will be process beginning in June 2007, with a hire date of October 1, 2007.

This information should give ample time for selected candidates to make the necessary notifications to their current employers and for out of town lateral officers to make any required moves associated with relocation to the South Florida community.

Due to the number of inquiries that have been received, we encourage candidates to obtain applications and additional information from the Miami Gardens Police Department web site www.MiamiGardensPolice.org , or the City of Miami Gardens web site www.MiamiGardens-FL.gov . They may also be picked up at the City of Miami Gardens Human Resources Department located at 1515 NW 167th Street, Building 5, Suite 200, Miami Gardens, FL 33169. The Human Resources Department’s hours of operation are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. For additional information please email Recruiter@MiamiGardensPolice.org .

Applications and the required documents must be mailed, delivered in person or via courier to the Human Resources Department. Do not fax or email the required documents or applications. Applications without the required documents will not be processed.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, or sex. The City of Miami Gardens mandates a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace.

The City offers Veteran’s preference per Florida law. Preference will be given to certain veterans, spouses of veterans, or un-remarried widows of veterans. Proof of veterans’ eligibility must be provided at time of application.

Exciting Changes Made to the Miami Gardens Police Department Web Site

By Major Alfred Lewers Jr.

Posted January 1, 2007

“Wow!” That is the only response I could think of as I viewed the December stats for the Miami Gardens Police Department’s web site. There were over 70,000 web hits on the web site during the month of December, compared to 18,518 for the month of November.

This shows that the word is out; the Miami Gardens Police Department is fast becoming the most talked about and sought after career choice in the local law enforcement community. This poses a unique challenge to appropriately respond to the vast number of telephone calls and web inquiries that we have received from potential candidates.

To assist in this endeavor, we have made a few exciting changes to our web site which will provide opportunities for potential candidates to obtain valuable information 24 hours a day, without having to contact the MGPD or wait for a return telephone call.

We have added the ability to download several documents including the position announcements for Certified Police Officer and Sergeants, along with applications, veterans’ preference forms and the required documents checklist.

We hope these helpful changes make the application process more organized and accommodating to our applicants. For additional information you may visit our web site at http://www.miamigardenspolice.org/ or email Recruiter@MiamiGardensPolice.org .

Criminal Investigations Bureau / Detectives Assignments

Saturday, December 23, 2006

By Major Paul Miller

Major Paul Miller is the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and was previously employed with the Miami-Dade Police Department for 19 ½ years. During his tenure, he held various positions and assignments, including assignments in Homicide, General Investigations, Auto Theft, Narcotics, Public Corruption, and the Crime Suppression Team.

The Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) within the Miami Gardens Police Department will be responsible for criminal cases involving burglaries (residential and commercial), thefts, assaults and frauds. In addition, detectives will be assigned to investigate specific crimes such as Domestic Violence, Auto Theft and Narcotics Investigations. During the early transition period, the Miami-Dade Police Department will continue to investigate homicides, sexual batteries and robberies for the City of Miami Gardens.

The Bureau’s formal structure, including schedules, the exact number of detectives and supervisors assigned, has yet to be established. This manpower allocation and scheduling will be based upon the needs of our community and that of the department.

It is important for applicants to understand that the Miami Gardens Police Department will first hire individuals into positions as officers and sergeants. A limited number of these individuals will then be assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau as detectives.

Assignment to the Criminal Investigations Bureau will be based on the background, past experience, specialty, and oral board performance of candidates. This detective assignment is not a permanent position and may be changed at any time as the agency sees fit.

Candidates for the officer positions will be asked the same oral board questions, however, those having shown an interest in an investigations assignment may be asked to return for a follow-up interview prior to selection to the Unit.

Supervisors selected for assignment to the Criminal Investigations Bureau must meet the minimum requirements for past supervision on the employment posting. If you are interested in a position in the CIB please write investigations in parentheses next to the position you are applying for on your application.

Our initial objective will be to fill the detective’s assignment with individuals who possess at least three or more years of investigative experience, though this may be adjusted based upon the candidate pool and the experience level of the applicants.

The Miami Gardens Police Department’s commitment to community policing will be seamless throughout the agency and will be exhibited by personnel assigned to the CIB. Detectives will be assigned to specific areas within the City and will be expected to be familiar with all crime trends occurring in their area as well as the adjacent areas.

Our Detectives will be required to regularly communicate pertinent information on preventative measures, crime trends and statistics to residents, business owners, and school administrators. This dissemination of information will extend to Department members and neighboring law enforcement agencies; in the form of BOLOS and information sharing.

We hope that this course of action assists us in developing a reputation as an agency dedicated to creating a solid partnership with the society we serve, as well as showing our commitment to cooperation with neighboring law enforcement agencies.

I hope this posting addresses some of the questions that potential applicants may have. If you have additional questions please feel free to email me at pmiller@miamigardens-fl.gov.

Again, thank you for the interest you have shown in the Miami Gardens Police Department.


Stay tuned for updated information on the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Command Staff Swearing-In Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE


Contact: Ula Zucker
Events and Media Coordinator
Tel: 305-622-8035
Cell: 786-253-8408
uzucker@miamigardens-fl.gov
For Immediate Release

Miami-DaDe County Mayor Carlos Alvarez to Swear-In police chief and command staff of New Miami Gardens Police Department (MGPD)



Miami Gardens, Fl, December 18, 2006 -The command staff for the newly established Miami Gardens Police Department (MGPD) will officially be sworn in on January 16th, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at Florida Memorial University’s Lou Rawls Performing Arts Theatre, 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens. Newly appointed Police Chief Matthew Boyd, former police major with the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), and Deputy Police Chief John Feltgen, former Assistant Director for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, will be sworn in to lead the agency. Other command staff personnel who will be sworn in include: Major Chester “Chet” Butler, Operations Commander, former MDPD Major; Major Alfred Lewers, Jr., Support Services Commander, former Lieutenant with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department; Major Paul Miller, Investigations Commander, former Lieutenant with MDPD; and Captain Steve List, Professional Compliance, former Public Safety Director/Chief of Police with the City of Parkland.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Miami-Dade State Attorney, Kathy Fernandez Rundle will officiate at the ceremony. They will join other local elected officials in swearing-in the command staff that brings to the City over 145 years of professional law enforcement experience.

“It is a great honor to be selected to lead this group of experienced law enforcement personnel in developing a top ranked, professional agency,” said Chief Boyd. “We look forward to meeting the high expectations of the community.”

The ceremony will also serve as the official kick-off of the MGPD. In September 2006, the Miami Gardens City Council officially approved the creation of its own, independent municipal police department, which is expected to have 150 police officers and 24 administrative civilian personnel. With the command staff now in position, the City will begin active recruitment for officers, detectives, sergeants and captains in January 2007 and expects to complete all its hires and assume full police patrol services in December 2007. The City Council has already approved an incentive package and salary schedule that is expected to attract qualified, experienced, community oriented professionals that offer the resources and expertise it will take to create a first class Miami Gardens Police Department.

Information regarding the application process, hiring incentives, timetable for recruitment and information sessions, is available at www.MiamiGardensPolice.org , or by contacting Major Alfred Lewers Jr. 305 622-8000 x 2372 or email: alewers@miamigardens-fl.gov.

The City of Miami Gardens was incorporated on May 13, 2003, and at a population of 107,569 is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County.

For more interviews regarding the Miami Gardens Police Department, or information about the City of Miami Gardens or other media and events-related information, please contact Ula Zucker, events and media coordinator, (305) 622-8035 or email: mailto:uzucker@miamigardens-fl.gov

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City of Miami Gardens
1515 NW 167th Street, Suite 200
Miami Gardens, FL 33169
Tel: 305-622-8035
Fax: 305-622-8001
uzucker@miamigardens-fl.gov
https://services.fortlauderdale.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.miamigardens-fl.gov

Captain's Positions Status

December 10, 2006

We are pleased to say that more than 90 applications were received for the Captain’s positions. The screening process has reduced this number to 42 individuals who will be allowed to compete for the 7 remaining Captain’s positions.

The interview process for these applicants will begin during the second week of January. The Human Resources Department will notify all applicants of their status.

Command Staff of the Miami Gardens Police Department

December 10, 2006

The command staff of the Miami Gardens Police Department consists of Police Chief Matthew Boyd, former police major with the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), Miami Gardens District: Deputy Police Chief John W. Feltgen, former assistant director for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, Major Chester “Chet” Butler, Operations Commander, former retired operations commander (MDPD), Major Paul Miller, Investigations Commander, a former lieutenant with MDPD’s Homicide Unit and Major Alfred Lewers, Jr., a former lieutenant in the Administrative Support Division of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

In Response To Postings on Officer.com web site

All of the questions that are being asked about the Miami Gardens Police Department are good ones and anyone who is looking to transfer to another agency should ask these questions and more. Though some of the responses to the questions are inaccurate, though I have to give credit to FLPD698, he has been sharing quite a bit of accurate information. I would like give you some input from a position of knowledge.

As far as the City of Miami Gardens and their tax rate is concerned, it is NOT one of the highest in Miami-Dade County as stated, though it has recently been raised to 5.14 from 3.63. To give you an accurate comparison, the City of Miami's millage (tax) rate is 8.37, Opa Locka's is 9.80, Homestead's is 6.25, Miami Shores is 8.25 and Avenutura's is 2.27. Don't take my word for it; if you would like more information on the tax rates of other Miami Dade County Cities access this link http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/forms/mill2006adopted.pdf .

The City of Miami Gardens has put together one of, if not the best benefits, salary and incentives packages that I have ever seen in the State of Florida. This was done with one thing in mind, and that was to attract and RETAIN the very best police officers to the City.

Many of the postings aren't very flattering about the city, but from what I have experienced, the City Manager, his staff, the City Council and citizens I have come in contact with have done nothing but shown me respect and impressed me. I have sat in on countless other City Commission meetings and have never been as impressed with others as I have been with the Miami Gardens City Council. They are the most cohesive group of professional elected officials I have ever met. Coming from a major city "Fort Lauderdale", this says something.

This City Council are the people who agreed to the benefits and salary package for the "Pioneer Officers", before they ever met them. Keep in mind, this benefits package was put together without a bargaining unit. I don’t think the council wants to have a police force that can be controlled; I think they have a genuine interest in having their own force of officers who will be committed to their citizens. They want to have the best police force in the State of Florida and are willing to pay their officers accordingly.

For some of the people who write the, not so nice comments about the City of Miami Gardens, everyone should understand that the City of Miami Gardens was a part of the unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County that was predominantly black and was not treated as fairly as it should have been by elected and government officials, before they were a city. This has changed; since they became their own city in 2003; the redevelopment in the City of Miami Gardens is the third greatest amount of any city in the county. There certainly is room for improvement in the City and it is being made.

I believe that the City of Miami Gardens’ Police Department is destined to be the best led, managed, supported and compensated department in the State of Florida. But what do I know; I am leaving the largest municipal police agency in Broward County to be a part of it. recruiter@MiamiGardensPolice.org email www.MiamiGardensPolice.org web site