Specialized Units

 

 

 

 

 

Bicycle Patrol

 

 

Officers assigned to bicycle patrol must take and complete a police bike course administered by a certified instructor. The bicycle patrol officers have increased opportunity for interaction with the community; the bicycle patrol officers are highly visible, have greater mobility and are easily accessible by citizens. Bike patrol officers supplement road patrol officers in areas around Town that are difficult to patrol in motor vehicles and increase the visibility of police officers in the business district, residential areas and beach areas of Surfside. Each morning during the school year, a police bicycle officer will meet children with bicycles at designated stops and safely lead them in a group to the K through 8th grade school. The goal of this program is for officers to be role models, teach safety, and build a relationship with the children. Citizen reaction to the bicycle patrol program has been favorable. The bicycle officer establishes more personalized contact with the community members and is not isolated in a police vehicle. The bicycle patrol helps to continue our progressive, proactive style of policing.

 

Beach Patrol

 

 

 

The beach patrol is responsible for the beachfront areas of the Town of Surfside. Beach patrol officers drive 4-wheel drive patrol vehicles that enable them to perform their duties on the soft sand. In addition, they patrol on 4-wheel ATVs during times of high tide and when the beach is congested with swimmers and sunbathers.

 

                                          Criminal Investigations Unit
 
The Criminal Investigations Unit is the primary investigative branch of the Police Department and works closely with our uniform patrol officers. The Unit has received training on criminal and background investigations, interviews and interrogations, computer crimes, and other specialized skills and investigative approaches. Detectives assigned to this Unit investigate and follow up on every crime committed in Surfside. All victims of crimes are contacted and kept up to date with the results of the investigation. The Unit is responsible for the investigations of Robberies, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Identity Theft, Elderly Abuse as well as property crimes such as Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief and Fraud.  The detectives’ expertise and efforts enable them to skillfully deter crime and apprehend offenders. The Unit also works closely with other local, state, county, and federal law enforcement agencies. One detective is assigned to a multi-agency task force that combats narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

 

 

    Personal Transport Vehicle

 

 

 

The Personal Transport Vehicle is used for patrol in the residential area and business district. The vehicle allows officers to interact directly with residents, tourists and business owners on a more personal basis.

 

 

 Communications Unit

                                                
The Communications Unit consisits of a Communications Supervisor and three dispatchers. The unit provides twenty-four hour seven days a week dispatching. Our responsibilities are managing all incoming emergency and non emergency calls through a computer aided dispatch system, dispatching the calls to police personnel, entering crime data into the records management system, and providing adminstration support to the Police Department.

 
 
 

 Honor Guard

  

                                                           

                                        

                                     

 

The Surfside Police Department Honor Guard Team is comprised of sworn personnel from various squads and ranks. The team members must be disciplined, dependable and able to work as a unified team. The Honor Guard represents the Surfside Police Department at several special details throughout the year, including: Town, county, state and national events. The Team also pays tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement during memorial and funeral services. The presentation of the colors and marching and are all functions of this squad. The participation of the Department’s Honor Guard Team is based on the worthiness of the event, combined with operational commitments. The team coordinator and the Chief of Police must approve requests for the Honor Guard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Neighborhood Resource Office

 

                     

                 

 

         

 

The Neighborhood Resource Office consists of Officer Jay Matelis and Dina Goldstein. Officer Matelis  has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Miami and is the Police Department's Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO) as well as the Public Information Officer. Dina Goldstein  is assigned to the Chief's Office, is a resident of Surfside and has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida. In addition to Dina's duties in the Chief's Office, she organizes and instructs at several crime prevention and community events. Neighborhood Resource Officer Matelis addresses quality of life issues, traffic, and parking problems, meets with residents and attends homeowner, condominium and business association meetings. Other responsibilities for Officer Matelis and Dina  include S.I.S.(Senior in Surfside) program, Halloween Safety Day, the annual Moonlight Maddness Parade and Beach Party, the Teen Police Summer Camp, the Bike to School Program, the Citizen's Police Academy, the employee physical fitness beach boot camp,  and other crime prevention events. Officer Matelis also conducts residential and commercial security assessments. 

 

 

Public Service Aide

 

 

 

The Surfside Police Department has one full time Public Service Aide; PSA Elinor Joseph. The Public Service Aide supplements the sworn officer ranks by assuming portions of the non-enforcement calls for service and administrative tasks so as to maximize the services of the remaining complement of the Department.  This is accomplished as follows:

 

· Utilizing the P.S.A in situations involving non-enforcement calls for service and station details instead of sworn officers.

 

·Promoting police/public relations through exposure of the P.S.A through community projects, and special events.

 

·Completing accident reports and issuing parking citations.

 

·Programming and deploying the electronic sign board.

 

·Delivering uniforms and equipment.

 

·Monitoring school bus stops.

 

·Assisting in the Property and Evidence Unit.

 

·Providing relief for dispatchers.

 

 

Parking Enforcement Officer

 

 

 

 

The Surfside Police Department has three full time Parking Enforcement Officers, P.E.O. William Perez, Ricardo Fernandez and Alain Acosta. The Parking Enforcement Officer patrols off-street, municipal parking lots and the Town roads, effectively enforcing municipal parking ordinances.  The Parking Enforcement Officer issues citations (or warnings) to vehicles in violation of municipal/county parking ordinances, ensuring the safety of the community.