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HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 150-2018 New Police Department AppointmentsBAL HARBOUR - VILLAGE - OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL NO. 150-2018 To: Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager Date: September 18, 2018 Subject: New Police Department Appointments This Letter to Council (LTC) is to inform you of appointments being made to the Bal Harbour Police Department effective October 1, 2018. I am pleased to inform you that I have appointed Raleigh Flowers to the position of Chief of Police and Mauricio Escarra has been appointed to Captain of Police. In July 2016, I appointed Chief Miguel De La Rosa as Acting Police Chief after Chief Mark Overton's unexpected medical emergency. Chief De La Rosa led the department in that capacity until September 2017, when I formally appointed him as the Bal Harbour Village Chief of Police. Chief De La Rosa continued the police department's focus on community policing as a philosophy, based on increased police visibility, responsiveness and innovation. He brought together a command staff that shared his vision and management style. As a result, he appointed Captain Raleigh Flowers as his second in command. Captain Flowers was responsible for the daily oversight of the department's operations, in addition to ensuring that the agency's community engagement philosophy was embodied by the rank and file. He also had direct supervisory responsibility for three (3) Lieutenants, which provide Command Staff presence seven days a week, while ensuring consistent application of department policies and procedures. In October 2017, as a result of Chief De La Rosa's unexpected medical issues, Captain Flowers assumed full command of the Bal Harbour Police Department. While our Village mourned the unexpected loss of our police chief, Captain Flowers has continued to carry forward the legacy of both Chief De La Rosa and Chief Overton, creating strong police citizen relations, through positive community engagement, while leading the agency and ensuring the public trust in the police department and its leadership. During this time, Captain Flowers has performed the duties and responsibilities of the LTC 150-2018: New Police Department Appointments Page 2 of 2 Chief of Police, and has maintained the support and confidence of the previously assembled command staff and members of the police department. As Acting Chief, he provided the much -needed stability for the department during a very difficult time for the Police Department and our community. Captain Flowers maintained fiduciary responsibility over the current year budget, as well as assisted me in the development of the proposed police department budget for next fiscal year. At my direction, the Acting Chief has presented a strategic plan outlining his vision for the continued development and direction of the Bal Harbour Police Department. Acting Chief Flowers has exhibited the talents and characteristics of a leader. He has maintained the respect and trust from the community, as well as fostered a high level of cohesiveness within the Police Department. Upon careful review of Chief Flower's strategic plan, I concur with his recommendations to appoint Mauricio Escarra to the position of Police Captain. Captain Escarra shall assume the role as second in command of the police department. He has a proven track record in both operational and administrative components of executive police administration with an extensive history of command level experience. As a Police Commander with the City of Hialeah, he was responsible for the complete oversight of a District which encompassed approximately 60,000 residents with a focus and emphasis on Community Policing. Captain Escarra has also excelled as a member of the Bal Harbour Police Department's Command Staff since his appointment as the Communications Manager and Code Enforcement Director in December 2015. He is a graduate Florida Atlantic University and of the Southern Police Institute, Command Officers Development Course, holds a graduate certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and a Master's degree in Public Administration both from Florida International University. He is also a current member of the Miami -Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police and the Florida Association of Code Enforcement. The appointment of Police Chief Raleigh Flowers and Captain Escarra will solidify the continued commitment to the initiatives begun under Chief Overton and Chief De La Rosa, providing stability and sustained innovation for this community. A promotional ceremony is being planned for the October 3, 2018, and details will be shared with you as soon as they are available. Please join me in congratulating Raleigh and Mauricio as they assume their new duties and wish them much success. If you have any questions or need additional information please feel free to contact me. JMG/RMF/DM