Joint statement by
The Fort Lauderdale Fraternal Order of Police
and Mayor Dean J. Trantalis
We are pleased to join together today and issue this statement about our shared vision for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Both Mayor Trantalis and the FOP appreciate the hard work, dedication and bravery of the many fine men and women who serve in the Police Department. It is through their efforts day in and day out that our neighborhoods and streets are as safe as they are today.
There are tremendous indicators this past year of the success of the mayor, City Commission, city management, the leadership of the Police Department and the rank-and-file officers working together to provide public safety in our community:
- The city’s crime rate is the lowest per capita since 1972.
- The Community Engagement Unit has been expanded and logged more than 3,000 hours of staff time last year in neighborhood outreach.
- Through recruitment and hiring initiatives, the department is increasingly reflective of the city’s diverse population.
- Innovative technology has been implemented including gun-shot detection equipment and license plate readers. They will help reduce crime and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
- The body-worn camera program has been completely implemented.
- The new police headquarters is moving forward to better serve our community.
- The Community Court program has helped divert homeless people from jail for minor offenses to needed social service programs.
There have been incidents both nationally and locally that have led to call for change in operations and procedures. Both the mayor and the FOP are cognizant of this and pledge to collaborate on undertaking a comprehensive review and implementing any necessary reform that ensures everyone is treated fairly and equally in their interactions with the police. The difficult issue of race and law enforcement particularly must be addressed. And, we all value transparency regarding the actions of officers in their conduct with citizens.
We look forward to the completion of a thorough review of the operations of the department, including leadership, training, recruitment and policies.
Both the mayor and FOP note that there have been significant strides made in modernizing the Police Department in recent years.
One important example is that choke holds have long been prohibited here. In all, dozens of reforms have been implemented in the past couple years, including but not limited to the body-worn camera program, implicit bias training, the creation of the Community Engagement Unit, a broader review of complaints, broad-based recruitment efforts and more thorough screening of job candidates.
Also many police officers have worked hard to forge strong bonds with the community through daily interactions as well as outreach. The relationships fostered during interactions from special units like the Neighborhood Action Team, the Community Engagement Team and Patrol help create a special bond between the FLPD and citizens. Also, the FOP has implemented its reading program to help students become better readers and engage with FLPD in a positive manner weekly. We look forward to further opportunities for community-building and engagement.
Together, we are determined to provide the best public safety possible to the residents and visitors of the city of Fort Lauderdale
Dean J. Trantalis
Mayor
Brandon Diaz
President, Fort Lauderdale FOP
