HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 011 - 2015 Bal Harbour Police Department - Leo AwardsF L O R I
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
NO. 011 - 2015
HjS PAPtU
TO: Mayor Martin Packer and Members of the Village Council
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager—Zs�
DATE: January 16, 2015
SUBJECT: Bal Harbour Police Department - Leo Awards
LETI-ERTO COUNCIL
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to inform you that three members of the Bal
Harbour Police Department have been selected as finalist for the L.E.O. Awards for Officer of
the Year and Support Services Category1, which recognizes a significant training development.
L.E.O. Finalist
Raul Martinez - Officer of the Year
Paul Eppler - Officer of the Year
On January 6, 2014, Sergeant Martinez and Officer Eppler rescued a 71 year old citizen who
had fallen into the jetty and was being swept out to sea. The officers miraculously were able to
locate the victim in rough seas and pull him onto the safety of the police department's marine
patrol vessel and quickly transported him to the awaiting Miami Dade Fire Rescue Trucks. The
officers' quick actions are credited with saving the gentleman's life.
Hector Gonzalez - Support Services Category 1
In 2011, while attending the annual conference of the Autism Society of Orlando, Detective
Gonzalez realized that there was a significant absence of meaningful training for police officers
in the awareness of Autism. He realized that reading about the disorder did not truly illustrate
the many characteristics associated with the disorder, much less how to communicate with and
assist an individual afflicted with the disorder.
Detective Gonzalez combined personal experience as a law enforcement officer together with
his experience of being a father of a young man afflicted with Autism and developed a training
course he titled Autism Awareness Training for Law Enforcement Officers.
Autism Awareness Training for Law Enforcement Officers has resulted in increased police
officer safety and given police officers the knowledge and tools needed to better understand
how to effectively communicate with persons suffering with Autism.
Furthermore, officers from across the state have been able to connect and communicate with
missing autistic children thanks to Detective Gonzalez's revolutionary training. Through scenario
based training and live interactions with men and women afflicted with autism, the curriculum
bridges the gap between the literature and reality.
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Officer Gonzalez introduced his law enforcement students to the world of the autistic through
sensory stimulus. He instituted the use of flashing lights, thunderous noises and smells that
overwhelm the student and thus provide a reality of what is perceived by the individual afflicted
by the disorder.
As he further developed Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement Training, he realized that his
son Christopher would be a monumental assistant in educating his fellow officers about Autism.
The training curriculum allows the officer to interact with and observe persons with autism in a
controlled environment. The officers are able to gain insight on stressors, calming techniques
and communication skills that assist them in interacting with and aiding the autistic individuals.
Together, Detective Gonzalez and Christopher have provided the training to over 4,500 law
enforcement officers from over 69 different agencies.
Detective Gonzalez stated that one of his greatest goals as a father is to provide a legacy for his
son Christopher to assist him in making a contribution to the world despite his affliction. With
this in mind, he and Christopher have been instrumental in educating fellow officers in
addressing and aiding all afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but in particularly the
children.
Please join me in congratulating our police officers on their nomination for this prestigious
award. Contact the Manager's Office if you are interested in attending the awards Gala being
held:
March 7, 2015 (Saturday)
Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
Miami, FL 33132
Time: 5:30 pm
JMG/MNO