M-DSPD has the distinction of decreasing school-related juvenile delinquency by an impressive 60 percent for the last six months of 2011, which was the largest decline in any school district in the state. The police force is being heralded for adopting effective alternatives to arrest such as civil citations. The M-DSPD has also seen a 35 percent decrease in the amount of referrals to the DJJ.

“Three years ago we set out to create and maintain a police department focused on redefining our role and reaffirming our values through prevention, intervention, enforcement and education. Our mantra is education not incarceration,” said Chief of Schools Police Charles J. Hurley.

M-DSPD has taken a student-centered approach to law enforcement by engaging and helping students and their families. With the assistance of school leadership, involved parents and community stakeholders, the police department has been able to cut student arrests by a remarkable 35 percent.

“I’m extremely proud of our men and women on the police force. It is our intent to demonstrate compassion and understanding to our students and their families when it comes to law enforcement. We have a student-centered police department first and foremost,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho.

The police department achieved success by employing many strategies including diversion programs, mentoring, policy reform, home visits, truancy sweeps and public support. Through these initiatives, graduation rates and student employability have increased.

If I were asked to identify one single cause behind this good work and positive change, it would be that we have redefined our values. A picture is worth a thousand words, and can provide real perspective, so I ask each of you to take the time to appreciate the attached photo on this Banner from the Office of the Chief of Police on “Values.” Let us never lose sight of what matters the most. We are a different type of police department and we are the best at what we do.

Thank you for your constant support and service. I ask that you be safe and continue to do the good work that you do.

Charles J. Hurley, Chief of Police
Miami-Dade Schools Police Department

The M-DSPD relies on building and developing relationships within the school community, which fosters a mutual trust and respect with our students. Over the past four years, M-DSPD has participated in several field trips and other special events, enabling students and police to spend quality time together, outside of the school system. We are extremely pleased to be able to include our students in these types of positive events. This campaign will continue as we strive to strengthen police/youth relations within our school community.

The safety of our students and staff remains the number one priority of the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (M-DSPD). As such, the K-9 Unit is a proactive component of the District’s overall safety plan that assists in promoting an environment most favorable to learning. I am confident that Officer Arenas will be a true asset to the unit. On behalf of the entire M-DSPD, we offer our congratulations, and we wish him the best of luck in his new assignment!

The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (M-DSPD) takes safety beyond the classroom. With an escalating rate of shootings over the past year, we have grown increasingly concerned by the number of weapons confiscated and gun related incidents occurring in our communities. To address the issue, the M-DSPD has established the “REMOVE ILLEGAL GUNS AND STOP GUN VIOLENCE” initiative.

On Thursday, February 2, 2012, the M-DSPD targeted some of our most vulnerable school communities, which included Miami Northwestern Senior High, Holmes Elementary, Charles R. Drew Middle/Elementary, and Brownsville Middle. Officers went door-to-door and at adjoining intersections during dismissal soliciting community support, and providing information on the many anonymous reporting mechanisms available to report illegal guns and crime, such as Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers, the Miami-Dade Gun Bounty Program and the District’s Be Safe Anonymous Reporting System.

M-DSPD also led Violence Reduction community contacts within other communities, including Westview Middle, Barbara Goleman and other locations.

HELP PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES…STOP GUN VIOLENCE!

The purpose of conducting random searches is not to effect arrests; it is to deter individuals from bringing weapons onto school grounds, to detect and confiscate weapons, and to take appropriate action when needed. Employed properly, the RMDP will be a very useful deterrent and augment the District’s existing security measures. The program was developed entirely through the use of traffic citation revenue, including the purchase of hand-held wands and training. In essence, the proceeds derived from one safety initiative – proactive traffic enforcement around our schools – were re-invested into another safety initiative.

This long-anticipated task could not have been accomplished without the support of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and the legal guidance of Mr. Dan Dresch from the Board Attorney’s Office. The program’s initial success, however, was due to the professionalism and commitment of the men and women of the M-DSPD to safeguard our students and staff. “I am confident the RMDP will increase operational effectiveness and enhance our ability to maintain the safest learning environment for everyone within the school community,” stated Chief Hurley.

As Chief Hurley has stated on numerous occasions, no resource is more important than knowledge, education, and professional growth. This training was a tremendous opportunity to deliver instruction and professional development to another segment of District and school site staff. It is yet another affirmation of our commitment to having the best trained employees – civilian or otherwise – who are prepared to deal with individuals in crisis and those with special needs.

During the all-day training session, M-DSPD Captains went over proactive plans for crime reduction and community engagement strategies for their respective areas. Additionally, our Data Analyst, Mr. Joe Cardelle, discussed upcoming and current programs, which include Metal Detection, Video Deposition, County Arrest Project Module and Electronic Citation.

Discovery Channel representatives were on hand to conduct an excellent presentation on how to use their website via the dadeschools portal. They demonstrated how the Implementation of Discovery Education website impacts the way an educator teaches, providing them the digital content and the professional development to transform classroom instruction into an immersive, experience that inspires a student’s natural curiosity.

The Office of Risk & Benefits Management scheduled representatives from the Tenet/Cigna North Shore Medical Center to participate in the training session by speaking to the officers on health and wellness and proper nutrition. Representatives provided breakfast bags with yogurt and granola bars, blood pressure readings, skin cancer facial assessments, and salt/sugar analyses.

“The use of Teacher Workdays for Professional Development and Training will enhance our workforce’s total capacity. School Policing in the 21st century must be new, innovative and progressive,” stated Chief Charles J. Hurley. “Our agency is the expert in Juvenile Justice reform, and this Department is now a trend setter.”