The Chief

in Office of the Chief by admin — August 11, 2009 at 9:41 am | 0 comments

As the Chief of Police for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), I take great pleasure in welcoming you to the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (M-DSPD). The M-DSPD was established in 1957 in an effort to promote and maintain the safest learning environment for the students, teachers and staff of the Miami-Dade School District. Our agency provides professional law enforcement services to the school community, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At present, the M-DSPD is comprised of 154 dedicated police officers and civilian support staff who share in this commitment to our schools and community.

The school district, under the innovative leadership of Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, has long recognized the importance of maintaining a peaceful environment and its direct correlation with academic achievement. School aged children are faced with rigorous academic demands. For that reason, M-DCPS and the police department strive to protect the school and students from the classroom to the curbside and beyond; into the homes and the surrounding communities. This dedication to school safety has become customary for the 7th largest law enforcement agency in Miami-Dade County, which serves the 4th largest school district in the nation. To achieve our goals, the M-DSPD employs a data driven approach when deploying resources. In order to stem the rising tide of community violence affecting our schools, we have established many cooperative relationships with local, state and federal agencies. Due to our diligence, M-DCPS is actually experiencing a reduction in crime, in stark contrast to many school districts throughout the nation.

For over 50 years, the men and women of the M-DSPD have been steadfast in their commitment to this cause. Throughout this era, the Department has transformed from its early role as liaison with other departments, into the modern, proactive agency of today. With over 350,000 students and 40,000 employees, we have adopted a child-centered approach to law enforcement. In fact, our philosophy is “Prevention, intervention, and enforcement as a last resort.” As the face of law enforcement continues to change, the M-DSPD too has had to adapt. To that end, the M-DSPD has endeavored to blend traditional law enforcement practices, with school, community and other ground-breaking concepts. Their presence in schools allows our officers to serve as positive role models that will enhance the relationship between youth and police.Throughout this great nation, public education and law enforcement have both felt the cruel sting of the current economic crisis. Despite the difficult circumstances, the M-DSPD has maintained its resolve, and will continue to work smarter, more efficiently, to ensure student success. As a department, we are encouraged by the collaborative energy that exists within our schools. As a district, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with Superintendent Carvalho, and the entire M-DCPS family, to make certain that students, staff and visitors alike enjoy a school climate that is most conducive to learning.

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