The Miami Lakes town council formally welcomed Miami-Dade Police Maj. Jose Gonzalez during a “pinning ceremony” during the July 11 meeting.
“Every major brings something unique,” Mayor Manny Cid said. “Major Gonzalez invites residents to meet him about problems and asks them to work on it together.”
Cid praised how Gonzalez synchronized town traffic lights and “the way you take the time to embrace community policing.”
Gonzalez, 52, was the town’s interim police leader for nearly two months after Maj. Javier Ruiz transferred to the agency’s Robbery Bureau.
Gonzalez’s family and law enforcement friends joined him at Town Hall for the event.
“I’d like to thank the manager, the mayor and the council for having the confidence in me to carry the torch forward as the next commander of the town,” Gonzalez said.
Miami-Dade Police has a contract for its officers to protect Miami Lakes.
Gonzalez also thanked his staff for their work in the town.
“Thank you for all your hard work, dedication and community policing to our community,” Gonzalez said.
In his new role, Gonzalez will supervise 46 sworn officers and four civilian staffers.
He has worked for the agency for 30 years and with the town’s police force for five years.
Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree from Union Institute and University in Hollywood, Fla.
He began his career as a member of the New York Police Department, where he spent three years working in midtown Manhattan and on a city-wide task force.
During his years in law enforcement in South Florida, he has worked in narcotics; robbery intervention and investigations; community policing in Kendall and commanded a SWAT unit.
Gonzalez has led a platoon in the Northside District of Miami-Dade County and oversaw incident containment and dignitary protection at PortMiami.
In May, Gonzalez said he would focus on reducing vehicle burglaries and continue “high visibility patrols” in several areas through the town.
The Miami Lakes council formally welcomed Maj. Jose Gonzalez as leader of the Miami-Dade Police Dept.’s force in town. Shown from left on July 11 are: Town Attorney Raul Gastesi; Councilman Ray Garcia; Mayor Manny Cid, Councilmembers Tony Fernandez and Marilyn Ruano; Maj. Jose Gonzalez; Councilman Josh Dieguez; Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo and Town Manager Edward Pidermann. Photo by Alexandra Herrera.