MESSAGE FROM CHIEF
MESSAGE FROM
THE CHIEF
Chief of Police Dexter M. Williams
A MESSAGE TO MY RESIDENTS: 2020 was quite a year! And that’s an understatement. From a global pandemic, to national unrest and political strife, this past year was a challenging time for our agency and the community we serve. In the midst of all this change, we continued to provide the highest level of law enforcement services. I would like to take a moment to recap the department’s accomplishments, service to our community and vision for the new year: Our Hoops for Hope basketball tournament awarded five $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in Miramar. The pre-COVID tournament also encouraged positive competition between teams consisting of employees and residents from across the county. Under my leadership, as president of the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association (BCCPA), we created a fivepoint plan for police departments in Broward to: eradicate bad police officers; re-examine use-of-force policies; train
8
and track officers’ behavior; educate officers on systemic racism, bias, and cultural differences; and increase the community’s trust in law enforcement through transparency and accountability. Working with Broward Crime Stoppers Miramar PD spearheaded a new initiative, with a $20,000 donation, named Mendell’s Rule. Birthed from the senseless killing of a Miramar High Criminal Justice Program student, Mendell Butler-Lebel, the new tip
MIRAMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020
initiative, increases the reward money for information leading to the arrest of those who murder juveniles, helping keep violent criminals off the streets. Our commitment to safety and community service is a priority. We provided free bike helmets and gunlocks to residents and supported weekly food distributions to those financially impacted by the pandemic. Our officers were happy to participate in parades celebrating birthdays, graduations and other milestones, helping bring joy to