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Congratulations to Officer Peter Hernandez, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month,” for the month of November 2024.
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ACTION/RECOMMENDATION
Major Baublitz and distinguished members of the award selection committee, it is my great honor and privilege to submit a nomination for November 2024 “Officer of the Month” for Officer Peter Hernandez.
BACKGROUND
On the evening of November 8, 2024 at approximately 0120 hours while working a Crime Suppression Detail, Officer P. Hernandez observed a the Offender: John Matthew Region, wearing a black hoodie black pants riding a electric scooter carrying a black shoulder bag traveling westbound at the intersection of SW 8TH Street and 800 - Block Cortez Street. The Offender matched the physical description of a burglary subject under Coral Gables Police Department Case: 24007030, BOLO Flyer: 24-324. The Offender operated the electric scooter on the roadway and sidewalk. Officer P. Hernandez did not observe the electric scooter to have a rear taillamp emitting a steady red light while operating at night (Citation #A5G12TP).
Officer P. Hernandez began to conduct surveillance in his unmarked Police Vehicle and advised Crime Suppression Officers C. Hernandez and Officer M. Alzate. Surveillance was maintained and a traffic stop was attempted at the 200 block of SW 63rd Court, Miami Florida, 33134 by Officer M. Alzate and Officer P. Hernandez. Officer P. Hernandez activated his emergency lights and siren. The Offender continued northbound then proceeded westbound on SW 2nd Street. The Offender looked at Officer P. Hernandez’s vehicle with its emergency lights and siren activated and proceeded onto the sidewalk and made a U-Turn to travel eastbound on the southside sidewalk disregarding attempts to conduct a traffic stop. The Offender then proceeded southbound on the 200 - block of 63rd Court (west sidewalk). The Offender proceeded to discard the black shoulder bag which was observed by Officer M. Alzate. The Offender proceeded further south and came to a final stop.
A FCIC/NCIC check confirmed the Offender to have an Active warrant out of Miami Dade. Officer P. Hernandez then handcuffed the Offender and placed him under arrest. Officer P. Hernandez conducted a search of the Offender and located a small bag full of clear plastic baggies located in his front left pants pocket (Drug Paraphernalia).
Officer P. Hernandez retraced the path the Offender took along the sidewalk and located the black shoulder bag in front of 230 SW 63rd Street, on the sidewalk. The bag contained several clear plastic baggies containing suspected cocaine (total weight approximately 14.2 grams). Additionally, the bag contained two clear plastic baggies with suspected Alprazolam (8 pills) and two clear plastic baggies of suspected Methamphetamine (approximately 1.4 grams). A 40-caliber magazine was also located in the bag containing 18, 40 Caliber, FMJ, bullets loaded in the magazine. Officer M. Alzate located a clear plastic bag with suspected cocaine (approximately 7.6 grams) located on the sidewalk in front of 220 SW 63rd Court. Officer C. Hernandez located a loaded black and gold in color, Taurus G2C, semi-automatic handgun on the swale in front of 200 SW 63Rd Court.
SYNOPSIS/CONCLUSION
Officer P. Hernandez, initially showed interest in the CST Pilot program that began in May 2023. Officer P. Hernandez was ultimately selected for the final team because of his investigative skills, ability to network with neighboring agencies, and his tactical proficiencies. Since the inception of the CST program, Officer P. Hernandez has shown his tremendous dedication to apprehending criminals and keeping Coral Gables safe. Officer P. Hernandez determination to complete a thorough investigation of the scene was pivotal in keeping a loaded firearm from getting into the wrong hands. A neighboring jurisdiction and their kids is safer because of Officer P. Hernandez actions on this arrest. Officer P. Hernandez has continued to show the true value of the Crime Suppression Team and the success of the new unit speaks for itself. It is for this reason I am recommending that Officer P. Hernandez be recognized for his efforts via the Officer of the Month Award for November 2024.