This newly added section of our web site is designed
to put to rest to some of the rumors that have been
circulation on the internet and in certain law
enforcement circles.
It
is our aim to provide accurate and timely responses
to your questions about the creation of a
www.newpolicedepartment.com.
RUMOR HAS IT
Rumor has it…The Miami Gardens Police Department’s
formulation is being funded by a four year federal
grant and once the grant is over, financial problems
are sure to follow. This is not accurate.
There is no federal, state, local or non-profit
grant being used to make possible the Miami Gardens
Police Department. All of our 150 positions are
being funded by the City of Miami Gardens’ general
fund. Though we, like many law enforcement agencies,
do intend to take advantage of as many grants as
possible to enhance our crime fighting and service
capabilities as an agency.
RUMOR HAS IT
There is no need to apply for positions at the Miami
Gardens Police Department, as they are all filled or
guaranteed to others. This is not accurate.
Currently there are 23 Sergeants
and 123 Officers positions that have yet to be
filled at the Miami Gardens Police Department.
Qualified candidates interested in the Sergeants
positions should submit your applications by
March, 2007, as the first round of oral
interviews are scheduled for the month of March.
We intend to hire 12 of our 23 sergeants by June
4th, 2007, with the others being
fazed in by October 1, 2007.
Police Officers should submit
their applications as soon as possible, as the
initial shift bid and days off preference will
be granted based on the submission date of your
applications. So do not procrastinate, submit
your application NOW!!!
The Detectives’ assignments will
be filled by qualified officers who are hired
into our department. There are no guaranteed
assignments promised to any candidate, which
allows all
qualified applicants to participate in
a fair and equitable testing and hiring process.
RUMOR HAS IT
The Miami Gardens Police Department
is only hiring state of Florida certified officers
at first. This is not accurate.
Our process is open to ALL out of
state officers whose training and experience
meet the standards of the Florida Department of
Law enforcement. Out of state officers must have
at least one (1) year of full time paid police
experience (police academy, training and FTO
time does not count). Out of state officers who
meet these standards may apply for the certified
police officer position.
The one (1) year experience
requirement does not apply to Florida Certified
officers.
RUMOR HAS IT
Out of state candidates will have to
take the 80 hour comparative compliance course and
the State Exam before they can start working. This
is not accurate.
In order to become a certified
officer in Florida, you will need to demonstrate
proficiency in the high liability areas and pass
the state certification exam
within 1 year of employment and submission
of the Equivalency of Training Form (CJSTC-76).
RUMOR HAS IT
The City of Miami Gardens has one of
the highest tax rates in south Florida, and they are
not a financially secure city. This is not accurate.
The City of Miami Gardens
currently pays over $30 million for its current
level of police services from Miami-Dade County
and is more than able to fund and operate its
own police force. The City of Miami Gardens’ tax
rate is NOT one of the highest in
Miami-Dade County as stated, though it has
recently been raised to 5.14 from 3.63. To give
you an accurate comparison of other cities in
Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami's millage
(tax) rate is 8.37, Opa Locka's is 9.80,
Homestead's is 6.25, Miami Shores is 8.25 and
Avenutura's is 2.27. Don't take my word for it;
if you would like more information on the tax
rates of other Miami Dade County Cities access
this link
http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/forms/mill2006adopted.pdf
RUMOR HAS IT
The Miami Gardens Police Department’s benefits and
salary are too good to be true and they won’t last.
FALSE
We understand that up to 80% of
the police departments in this country have
positions that they can not fill, and one of the
reasons for this shortage of qualified
candidates is the sometimes abysmal salaries and
benefits that are offered to professional law
enforcement officers. We want to make sure that
this is not the case in the City of Miami
Gardens. We have created the best salary,
benefits, and incentives packages in the State
of Florida to quickly attract and retain the
most dedicated and professional officers to
provide law enforcement services in our
City.
Do not miss your opportunity to
personally obtain factual information from Miami
Gardens Police Representatives during one of our
upcoming information session. To complete an
online registration, please access this link
miamigardenspolice.org/register1.htm.
If you are unable to locate the
answer to your questions on our web site or Blog,
please don’t hesitate to complete an online web
inquiry form at
miamigardenspolice.org/register1.htm. We will respond to your request
for information in a timely manner.
