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Congratulations to Officer Orlando Mateu, recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Officer of the Month Award,” for the month of June 2019.
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I would like to respectfully nominate Officer Orlando Mateu for Officer of the Month of June 2019 for his actions in locating a 19 Year old male who was threatening suicide and successfully investigating a Domestic Disturbance Call.
On June 22, 2019, a call for service was received by the Coral Gables Police Communications Center (19-004478). According to the Reporter, her 19 Year old son had texted his Ex- Girlfriend and had threatened to commit suicide because she had ended their relationship. Numerous attempts were made to locate the Suicidal Subject and were all unsuccessful.
Officer Mateu responded to the Ex-Girlfriends residence located in Miami-Dade Police's jurisdiction. Officer Mateu formed a rapport with the Ex-Girlfriend and convinced her to have the Subject respond to her residence. After approximately 1 hour, the Subject gave into her request and he was taken into custody. The Subject was subsequently Baker Acted. The Subject's mother was extremely grateful in recovering her son unharmed.
On June 23, 2019, a call for service was received by the Coral Gables Police Communications Center (19-004497). The Juvenile Reporter called and stated her mother had struck her and she was in fear. Officer Mateu responded to the scene and conducted a preliminary investigation. The investigation revealed that the Mother suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and the family was in desperate need of services. Officer Mateu contacted DCF and a Child Protective Team responded immediately. DCF was able to provide the family the services they needed in order to mend their relationship.
Due to Officer Mateu's compassion and his police instinct, the Suicidal Subject's life was saved and the Domestic Disturbance was resolved without incident. Officer Mateu has been a police officer for the Coral Gables Police Department for approximately ten years and continues to serve the citizens of Coral Gables with professionalism and compassion.
Officer Mateu should be commended for his actions and awarded Officer of the Month for June 2019.