The Specialized Enforcement Division, (SED) created in 2007 has increased the efficiency of Specialized units and provides better management and accountability of its components. The Specialized Enforcement Division is comprised of Bike Patrol, Marine Patrol, Crash Investigation and Traffic Enforcement units. SED is staffed by one Major, one Lieutenant, four Sergeants, 25 Officers and one civilian support staff member. Further responsibilities of this division include: DUI enforcement programs, underwater recovery, special events planning and selective traffic enforcement program.
Crash Investigations/Traffic Homicide Unit
The Crash Investigation/Traffic Homicide Unit is a critical component of the Specialized Enforcement Division and an important support branch to Uniform Patrol. Traffic crashes are one of the most common, and at times, severe calls for service handled by the Coral Gables Police Department. CIU/THI investigates all types of crashes from minor property damage traffic crashes to traffic fatalities. Additionally, the unit conducts traffic enforcement in an effort to educate the public, prevent crashes, and save lives. The Unit is comprised of one sergeant and five officers. Four of the officers are Traffic Homicide Investigators who have each completed a minimum of 240 hours of specialized training in traffic crash reconstruction. Traffic Homicide Investigators are available 24 hours a day for severe crash and traffic fatality investigations.
The police department’s DUI countermeasures program is also run out of this office. This program participates in a countywide multi-agency DUI Task Force with other state and local law enforcement agencies. We participate in DUI saturation operations and DUI checkpoints designed to make our community a safer place by taking impaired drivers off our roads.
Traffic Enforcement Unit
The Traffic Enforcement Unit, (motorcycles) is an element within the Specialized Enforcement Division. Established to perform traffic enforcement, this unit strives to maintain control of traffic matters through the enforcement of traffic laws within the City of Coral Gables.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit is comprised of one sergeant and ten officers. All individual officers are issued speed measuring devices and a PDA used for the issuance of electronic traffic citations. The unit is also equipped with three Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailers (SMART). The SMART is used to gather data at various locations in order to determine the most effective deployment of personnel. The SMART is also utilized as a visual display to make drivers aware of their speed while traveling throughout the city streets.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit also participates in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). This program’s goal is to utilize available resources to deter aggressive driving and prevent traffic crashes throughout the city.
Marine Patrol Unit
The Coral Gables Marine Patrol Unit is staffed by a sergeant and four officers, who work under the supervision of the Specialized Enforcement Division Major and Lieutenant. The unit is tasked with a wide range of activities with boater safety and education as its primary purpose. The Unit provides crime prevention, environmental/resource protection, hurricane preparedness and assists many other local, state and federal agencies, including Homeland Security, with issues such as port security, narcotics interdiction and illegal immigration. Further, the unit participates in the Coral Gables Police PAL program and a variety of community events throughout the year.
The Coral Gables Underwater Recovery/Dive Team is a part time unit that works in an on-call capacity on a variety of activities. The unit is staffed by a sergeant and six other police divers, and provides search and recovery duties for evidence, objects or persons lost in the surrounding waters including boating accident investigation. The Unit also assists with hull and seawall searches and large scale activities with other agencies as part of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Details
Operation Safe Passage – waterborne interdiction operation
Operation Coastal Breeze – checking vessels from foreign waters at local boat ramps
Operation Turbulent Trident – dive team assist with federal dive operations
Operation Borderlords – working at tri-county ports, checking inbound and outbound freight
Agencies that the CGPD Marine Patrol Unit Assist:
- US Coast Guard
- The US Department of Homeland Security Services
- Miami-Dade Marine Patrol
- Miami Marine Patrol
- Biscayne National Park Rangers
- Florida Wildlife Commission
- Miami Dade Fire – Marine
- Broward Sheriff’s Office – Marine Patrol
Equipment
Marine Patrol is equipped with three patrol boats, a 29 ft. Donzi, two 28 ft. white water vessels and two smaller vessels for restricted waters are also available to the Unit.
Bicycle Patrol Unit
The Coral Gables Police Bike Patrol Unit is comprised of one sergeant and six officers.
This Unit provides support to the Uniform Patrol Division through the use of bicycles and Segways. Unit members handle 911 situations requiring police response and is specifically focused on crimes against persons and property occurring in the City’s business districts. The Unit has established personalized public contact with merchants, residents and community organizations within the assigned areas.
Specialized Assignments
The Bicycle Unit pays special attention to the downtown business district by patrolling the numerous alleyways, parking garages and other areas that are not accessible by patrol vehicles. This added dimension to the Specialized Enforcement Division is a great asset in the prevention of business burglaries, vehicle burglaries, vehicle thefts, robberies and vandalism in the area. Unit members make a concerted effort to contact the merchants and shop owners within the business districts in order to build rapport and improve community-policing relations. Unit members also enforce all applicable laws, statutes and ordinances related to traffic enforcement and parking.
This Unit participated in the following events:
- Holiday Bike Patrol
- Farmers Market
- Art Gallery Night
- Jobie Fun Day
- Easter Seals
- Junior Orange Bowl Parade
- Ponce Peace Parade
- School Demos
- Memorial Day Weekend
- Final Orange Bowl game with Miami Police Department
