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Miami Herald Article - Teen CPA

12/21/01

We are proud of this article from the Miami Herald...

Fort Lauderdale's teen police academy graduates its first class of 25

BY BRAD BENNETT
bbennett@herald.com

Rolanda Joanice viewed the police at a distance until four months ago. ``Just to see them riding around in cars, you don't think they're dedicated to the community,'' said Rolanda, 16, of Lauderdale Lakes, who recently finished a 15-week pilot program called the Teen Community Police Academy. Through the program, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department allowed Rolanda and other Fort Lauderdale High School students to ride with patrol officers and learn about the department's special investigations, local jail, drug enforcement, rape prevention, and other divisions.

The 25 kids were the first to graduate from the Teen Community Police Academy on Thursday, receiving certificates and T-shirts recognizing their participation.

``Now I have more respect for them,'' Rolanda said of the police.

Police hope to continue the Teen Community Police Academy next year. It is patterned after the 7-year-old Citizen Police Academy for adults.

The teen program is similar to the adult one, but aims to hold the interest of teenagers with hands-on demonstrations.

Included are field trips to the department's gun range and its mounted police unit, and information about illegal drugs in raves. Police also looked to recruit new officers through the program.

``We would love to have you here,'' Alesia Cappuzzello, project director for the city's community support division, told the teens. ``You only have to be 19 to apply.''

Participating in the teen police academy can boost students' grade-point averages and help prepare them for college courses in criminal justice.

``It was going to be a little different than a regular old executive internship,'' said David Harman, 17, of Fort Lauderdale, a senior who is mulling a career in politics. ``The thing I found most interesting was probably the dive team.'' Rolanda, who is considering a criminal justice career, said she learned a lot from the rape class.

``It shows you ways to prevent it,'' she said. ``Anybody can get raped. It makes you more cautious.''

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OFFICER OF THE MONTH
JANUARY 2002

OFFICER KENNETH KELLEY

On September 15, 2001, you were patrolling the area of NW 15 Avenue and NW 6 Street when the victim of an armed robbery flagged you down. You efficiently interviewed the victim and learned that the two culprits were armed with a shotgun and a handgun, and that they had stolen the victim’s vehicle. You were also able to get the vehicle description; the culprit’s description and last known direction of travel.

You broadcasted this information to other units and began to search for the culprits, covering their likeliest routes of escape while coordinating with the other units that were responding.

Based on your years of experience, you believed the culprits, once out of the neighborhood, would escape southbound on I-95. You headed in that direction. At I-95 and Griffin Road you spotted a vehicle matching the description given to you by the victim and confirmed this with a teletype check, while summoning assistance from a BSO helicopter and K-9. Once adequate support was in place, you attempted a traffic stop. The culprits refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle continued southbound on I-95 and exited at NW 103 Street in Miami. The culprits took the vehicle into a residential neighborhood and fled on foot.

You chased the culprit driver through a series of backyards to a nearby residence. The culprit entered the residence and concealed himself in a bedroom, refusing commands to surrender. K-9 was utilized to take the culprit into custody; the second culprit was also apprehended within the same residence.

Your quick response; knowledge of the area and the utilization of resources and sound police tactics resulted in the apprehension of two armed and dangerous felons and the recovery of the victim’s vehicle. You are to be commended for a job well done.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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HONORABLE MENTION
JANUARY 2002

OFFICER MICHAEL FLORENCO
and
OFFICER WILLIAM SCHULZ

On September 16, 2001, you observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the 1000 block of NW 6 Street. You initiated a traffic stop and went to contact the driver of the vehicle. The driver immediately swung open the vehicle door and confronted you. You observed that the driver was attempting to block your view of the interior of the vehicle and when you requested his driver’s license and vehicle registration, the driver refused to produce them. You requested the items again and the driver began to comply but continued to purposely obstruct your view of the glove box. Officer Schulz utilized his flashlight in such a way as to allow Officer Florenco to observe the .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun the driver was attempting to conceal in the glove box. You ordered the driver from the vehicle. The driver refused and made a quick movement towards the handgun. You reacted swiftly and secured the driver and the loaded handgun.

Your attention to duty and sound defensive tactics resulted in the uneventful arrest of an armed individual, and the removal of another firearm from the streets of Fort Lauderdale. You are to be commended for a job well done.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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LIFESAVING AWARD JANUARY 2002

OFFICER JAMES JAGGERS

On October 13, 2001, you were flagged down in the 1200 block of SR 84 in reference to a small child that appeared to have been left unattended in a vehicle. Upon responding to the vehicle, you did find a four-year-old girl screaming and crying. You also found an adult female, Danielle Ebright, in the vehicle. She was unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing.

You requested Fire Rescue and removed the victim from the vehicle and began rescue breathing. As Fire Rescue arrived, the victim began shallow breathing on her own and was transported to Broward General Medical Center.

The four-year-old girl was the victim’s daughter. If not for your quick response, the victim would have perished and a small child would be motherless. You are to be commended for a job well done.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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UNIT CITATION
JANUARY 2002

DISTRICT ONE TACTICAL UNIT

SERGEANT RAUL DIAZ
OFFICER THOMAS FERRI
OFFICER RICHARD FORTUNATO
OFFICER EDWARD GOOD
OFFICER JEFFREY JENNINGS
OFFICER JOSE PINTO-GONZALEZ

The District One Tactical Unit has continued to display, on a daily basis, how well informed they are regarding their area of responsibility and its unique issues. Whether called upon to assist the Criminal Investigations Division or conducting a surveillance of career criminals, the District One Tactical Unit has accomplished all assignments in an outstanding fashion.

In a two-month period, the District One Tactical Unit:

• Developed information on a robbery suspect who was a career criminal, conducted a 48-hour surveillance of the suspect, and took him into custody as he was enroute to commit a robbery with a loaded handgun. He subsequently confessed to numerous robberies.
• Received a BOLO for a homicide suspect wanted in Okeechobee County, then located and apprehended the suspect and recovered a loaded handgun.
• Assisted the Violent Crimes Squad and District Two Tactical Unit in the surveillance of a group of armed robbery suspects. They located and apprehended their suspects who were subsequently charged with several robberies.

These arrests have had a positive affect on the quality of life issues throughout the community. The District One Tactical Unit continues to be proactive and aggressive in the enforcement of laws and problem-solving within the District and the entire City. The District One Tactical Unit’s teamwork, diligence and dedication to duty are to be commended.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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FIRST DIGITALLY ENHANCED EVIDENCE CASE

On Thursday January 3, 2001, Fort Lauderdale Detective Juan Cabrera presented the first Broward County Digital Enhancing evidence case which was accepted into evidence in a trial. The case is identical to the Washington case of Eric Hayden v. State of Washington. In both cases a bloody palm print was enhanced from a bed linen by using a pattern removal filter.

The admission of this evidence is a significant event in that the court has found that Digital Enhancement is nothing more than an additional tool that is used by the Police. The defense attorney objected that the technology was untested and not proven reliable and as such the evidence should not be allowed. Judge James I. Cohn overruled defense objections. He based his ruling on the fact that the software "never touches the original image" and as such the integrity of the evidence is secure and as such is not able to be altered. The Judge advised the Defense that they could argue the "weight" of the evidence before the jury, but that the evidence speaks for itself and is admissible.

The case is still in trial, and as everyone knows you can not predict a jury, but if all goes like it should, this Fort Lauderdale homicide case should be the first homicide conviction in which Digital Enhancement was used in Broward County and perhaps even in Florida.

For future reference in any court proceedings, if asked if this technology has been accepted in Broward County you can refer to:

State of Florida v. Geoffrey S. Kennedy
Murder 1st Degree / Premeditated
Police Case number: 01-034388
Court Case number 01-005105CF10A

UPDATE:

On Monday, January 7, 2002, the jury deliberated three hours and found Kennedy guilty of first degree murder.

Our first More Hits Homicide conviction!

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A CITIZEN'S LETTER

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department received the following letter from a citizen:

Dear sirs,

My 5-year old daughter is a kindergarten student at Croissant Park Elementary school.

I was horrified tonight when I went to pick her up after work and discovered a crime scene directly across the street from her school. I've learned through the news that there was a police-involved shooting.

My understanding is that a routine traffic stop of a speeding vehicle in a school zone resulted in a brief on-foot chase. The suspect ducked behind a fence and as two officers rounded the fence, the suspect drew a handgun. Both police fired at him, killing him.

I have no doubt that many upset parents are speaking out about this. But as I tucked her into bed tonight, I had a different point of view that I need to share with you and your officers.

Thank you.

Thank you, Fort Lauderdale police officers, for being there to keep my child's school safe. Thank you for being close as the children were being dismissed.

Thank you for caring that a speeding car in a school zone poses a danger to our children. Thank you for taking the time to intervene.

Thank you for being so brave - for chasing a suspect without knowing why he was running. Thank you for risking your lives when he drew that handgun. Thank you for not running or ducking when you realized your own lives might be in danger. It is because of your bravery and quick thinking that my child sleeps safely tonight.

I don't know the names of the two officers - or any other officers that were involved. I hope you will pass this on to them, as I know their hearts must be heavy tonight. What you did today means more than I can ever tell you.

I won't allow myself to dwell on the fact that an armed man could easily have run across the street into a crowd of children, into the school. I won't worry what will happen at school tomorrow, or the next day. Instead, I will close my eyes and say a silent thank you to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for all that you do for the residents of Fort Lauderdale.

Please be sure that your department knows that they are appreciated so very much. In a moment, I will once again slip into my child's room and kiss her sleeping face - after I will crawl into my own bed beside my husband and rest easily tonight knowing that the men and women of the FLPD are out there tonight keeping my family safe.

Thank you just doesn't seem like enough.

With all of my heart,
Mrs. Christine Slager
Grateful parent

P.S.
I have copied various members of the media to ensure that those who have reported on this also know that grateful parents, like us, are out there.

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Officer Ramon Suarez Memorial

Officer Ramon Suarez was a Fort Lauderdale Police Officer until he left to join NYPD. Officer Suarez died in the World Trade Center attack on 9/11/01.

You may wish to visit the memorial for Officer Suarez at: http://www.jamesarnett.com/suarez.

Police Officer Ramon Suarez, 45, was appointed to the Transit Police Department on January 20, 1987, and worked in Transit District 4, Transit Borough Manhattan Task Force, and the Highway District before transferring back to District 4 in March 2000. He and his partner, PO Mark J. Ellis, were both killed while responding to the World Trade Center incident. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Graphic Arts and Design, PO Suarez was a few credits shy of a bachelor's degree from Pace University. A physical fitness enthusiast, he had received numerous trophies and awards for his expertise in karate. PO Suarez is survived by his wife Carmen; children Jillian, Sophia and Ramon jr.; parents Marina and Raul; sisters Margarita and Milagros; and brother Raul.

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OFFICER OF THE MONTH
FEBRUARY 2002

DETECTIVE JACK DiCRISTOFALO
and
DETECTIVE STAN RAGIN

On September 18, 2001, a robbery occurred at the USA Grocery, 800 NE 15 Street. During the course of the robbery, one of the victims was shot, sustaining a life threatening injury. There were no immediate leads in the case. Detective DiCristofalo was assigned as the lead detective and his partner, Detective Ragin, assisted. Working with other jurisdictions, you were able to ascertain that another jurisdiction had multiple, similar offenses. You viewed a surveillance tape of one of the robberies and were able to identify one of the three culprits.

This cooperation lead to the arrest of the three suspects within three days. However, Detective DiCristofalo was out of town. Detective Ragin recognized that delay in interviewing the suspects would jeopardize the investigation and responded immediately.

Although the suspects were not initially cooperative, Detective Ragin utilized his interview skills and elicited confessions from two of the three suspects, who both implicated the third suspect as having shot the victim at the USA Grocery.

By your collective actions, teamwork and tenacity, you removed three prolific and violent criminals from our midst. You are to be commended for a job well done.

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HONORABLE MENTION
FEBRUARY 2002

DETECTIVE LUIS ALVAREZ	DETECTIVE DOUGLAS MACDOUGALL
DETECTIVE CARL HANNOLD	DETECTIVE TIM SHIELDS

On December 27, 2000, you were conducting your normal duties when another detective via the police radio advised that several subjects were robbing narcotics dealers in the Northwest. They were reported to be in a black Honda and were armed with some type of assault rifle. Within minutes of this alert you observed a vehicle matching the description next to you in traffic, occupied by three subjects. You observed the occupants of the vehicle became nervous when they recognized the “Raiders” next to them and they took furtive actions to elude you.

You requested a marked unit to conduct a traffic stop as you kept the vehicle in sight. Before a marked unit could respond to the area, the vehicle turned into Doctor Kennedy Homes and the three occupants fled the vehicle. You could see that the rear passenger, Frank Perry, was carrying an AK-47 assault rifle. You pursued the three occupants on foot through the housing project, immediately catching the driver, Timothy Johnson, and the other passenger, Glenn Mitchell. Mr. Perry continued to flee, throwing the assault rifle into some bushes. You established a perimeter and K-9 Officer Love flushed Mr. Perry out of hiding and he was also taken into custody.

The loaded assault rifle was recovered. The vehicle that the three culprits had abandoned was reported stolen. Two of the culprits gave statements admitting that they had driven to Fort Lauderdale with the intention of robbing drug dealers and other citizens. Your attention to duty and quick response resulted in the apprehension of three culprits intent on victimizing the citizens of Fort Lauderdale, the removal of a dangerous firearm from the street and the recovery of a victim’s vehicle. You are to be commended for a job well done.

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UNIT CITATION
FEBRUARY 2002

DISTRICT THREE TACTICAL UNIT	SERGEANT KEVIN FINN
OFFICER JOHN GRAUL	OFFICER KEVIN HAYES
OFFICER RYAN KENNERSON	OFFICER ERIC SWEET

In the first eight months of 2001, District Three experienced a ten percent increase in burglaries and a sixteen percent increase in vehicle burglaries. The District Three Tactical Unit analyzed the burglaries and identified a pattern of criminal activity within the Central Sector of District Three and developed a plan of action.

Your plan of action led to the arrest of three individuals while they were committing burglaries. In addition to the apprehension of the three individuals for in-progress burglaries, the District Three Tactical Unit arrested ten convicted burglars on prowling charges. Post-arrest investigations revealed that the thirteen subjects you arrested were responsible for over ninety burglaries committed in the Central Sector of District Three.

Your analysis, planning and teamwork were instrumental in the apprehension of these individuals who were preying on the citizens of District Three. Your unit is to be commended for a job well done.

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VIOLENT FELON ARRESTED

Charges include attempted murder of two deputies

Michael Anthony Johnson is a fugitive who was on the run from authorities for numerous violent felony charges. He is also a cocaine trafficker who attempted to kill two Broward County Deputies when they tried to stop him in July of last year. Johnson rammed one of the deputy’s vehicles and then attempted to run over the other deputy who was on foot. The deputies fired into Johnson’s vehicle as he escaped. Crimestoppers aired his picture on local TV and in newspapers in an attempt to gain information on his whereabouts. Numerous agencies including FBI, DEA and FDLE began conducting their investigations into his location. All attempts to locate Johnson were unsuccessful. Fugitive Detective Chuck Morrow also began his investigation and targeted Johnson’s associates, some of who were arrested on outstanding warrants. During interviews with these associates Detective Morrow was able to gain some useful information. Surveillances were utilized in Sunrise, Plantation and Fort Lauderdale.

On January 10, Detective Morrow learned that Johnson was at an apartment complex in Lauderhill. Prior to the police arrival Johnson fled the area. The detective’s investigation continued where he made numerous contacts with street sources and informants. After surveillances were conducted on more of Johnson’s associates Detective Morrow was confident that he was hiding in an apartment in Coral Springs. The detective then requested assistance from ATF and the US Marshal Service in continued surveillance of the Turtle Run Apartment complex in Coral Springs. After several hours Johnson was observed arriving at the apartment. As Johnson was entering the apartment Detective Morrow notified Coral Springs Police Department for assistance of additional uniform officers. When Johnson realized the police were knocking at the door he slammed the door and attempted to escape. He only got as far as the living room when he was handcuffed and taken into custody. Located on the floor of the room was a Tech 9 machinegun pistol, 150 grams of crack cocaine and $4500 in cash. Johnson’s vehicle was searched, and located between the front seat was a 9 mm handgun and crack cocaine. Both firearms were fully loaded.

Johnson was transported to the police department where he confessed to owning the firearms and cocaine, but refused to talk when asked about the attempted murder of the BSO deputies. DEA will possibly be filing federal charges for firearm and trafficking charges.

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ROBBER ARRESTED

On November 9, Ramsey Auto Body located at 209 SW 15 Street was the victim of a robbery in which $700 in cash and company checks were taken. Violent Crimes Detective Steve Palazzo was assigned the case and was told by employees that the 2 male subjects that robbed the business had come in several days prior to get an estimate for work on a blue Buick. The following week Detective Palazzo learned that a female had cashed one of the stolen checks. She was located and named Rodrick Pitts as one of the suspects who had robbed the auto body shop. A lineup was prepared and showed to the victim and employees, Pitts was positively identified. The victim also identified the Buick, which was found at 801 SW 15 Avenue. Detective Palazzo had the stolen recovered check processed for prints and found one of the prints on the check to belong to Pitts. He was arrested and charged with armed robbery, grand theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Pitts has 12 prior robbery and drug convictions. Detective Palazzo continues his investigation into the identity and arrest of Pitts’ partner.

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