The Miami-Dade Police Department is set to undergo a major change as it transitions into the “Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office”. This marks a significant milestone for the county, as it will have an elected sheriff for the first time in decades. The upcoming election has attracted a plethora of Republican candidates who are all vying for the esteemed position of leading the county’s law enforcement efforts.
One of the Republican candidates, Ignacio Alvarez, has an impressive background. He previously served as a major in the Miami-Dade Police’s Special Victims Unit before retiring. Now, he has his own law firm where he practices law.
“This job is so important that we get it right,” Alvarez said. “I am the one with the real-life experience; I am the only one that was a police officer for over 25 years, the last eight of them as a major.”
Jose Aragu, a current Miami-Dade Police major, highlights his impressive resume and education as key qualifications for the position.
“For the first time in 60 years, we’re going to have an opportunity as a community to separate politics from law enforcement,” Aragu stated. “I am a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School in public policy, the Naval Academy, and FIU with a master’s in emergency management.”
After dedicating 27 years to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Rosanna Cordero-Stutz is now running for the position. She emphasizes that politics should not hinder the department’s duty and promises to keep it that way if elected.
“I’ve been a police officer all my life with the Miami-Dade Police Department. I’ve worked every inch of this department,” Cordero-Stutz said. “Safety and security are squarely on the shoulders of the sheriff, and I will make all my decisions based on the needs of my citizens for their safety and security.”
After starting his career with the Miami Police in the 1980s, Raumen DelaRua went on to serve for 26 years as a district commander at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in North Central Florida before retirement.
“I’m the only candidate that has the experience of a deputy sheriff in all those fields,” DelaRua remarked. “When I was a police explorer, I started back at the age of 14, and I’ve committed my life to the safety and well-being of our citizens.”
Retired Miami-Dade Police Major, Mario Knapp, is throwing his hat in the ring as a candidate for the upcoming election. Having served in the department for 27 years, Knapp has overseen several units including bomb squad, canine, and marine patrol.
“This is the time to set the standard, to set the foundation for public safety in Miami-Dade County,” Knapp said. “If you look around the country, you see cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and California where there’s no more consequences for crimes.”
With over 27 years of experience in the Miami Police, Jeffrey Giordano has honed his skills in various roles such as a hostage negotiator, undercover officer, detective, and public information officer. In his new position, he is determined to maintain the integrity of the office by keeping it free from any political influence.
“As sheriff of Miami-Dade County, we’re going to be responsible for the people,” Giordano said. “As long as we work together, the unity we can bring to this community will be ten-fold of what it is now.”
The Republican field is not fully represented by these candidates alone.
Miami-Dade County has already commenced its early voting process, with the primary set to take place on Tuesday, August 20th.