Retired Officers Continue to Contribute to Department as Reserve Officers

Whatever leisurely pursuit or activity that Mr. Jorge Carreño wanted to do in the past two years, he made it happen, regardless of the day of the week or the hour. Unencumbered by any schedule, he took vacations on a whim, went fishing or golfing, or had long lunches with friends. His time since June 30, 2021, was entirely his, that was the benefit of retirement after working for 33 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department.

But he missed the camaraderie with his fellow officers, and the sense of pride and purpose that came from serving the community, so after 22 months into retirement, he decided to return to the Department, to serve as a certified Police Reserve Officer, a volunteer position. On Friday, April 21, 2023, he and six other retirees were sworn in by Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez III.

“I still consider myself young, and I would like to contribute my knowledge and expertise back to the Department, which I still love, and still want to be the best in the country, if not the world,” said Officer Carreño, who retired as a Lieutenant. His last assignment, for seven years was in the Homicide Bureau. He is now assigned to the Homeland Security Bureau. “Eventually I would like to teach at the academy,” he said, referring to the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute & Research Center. Recruiting for Police Reserve Officers is done primarily in-house. When officers retire, they are invited to return as reserves. Police Reserve Officers must be willing to perform 16 hours of service each month or 48 hours every three months. They must also show that they have met or exceed all departmental training requirements, in accordance with the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Training consists of classroom instruction, practical application, firearms proficiency, field patrol assignments, and oral
and written examinations.

According to the article, “The benefits of Reserve Officers in modern policing” published in Police1, a
leading national law enforcement news website and magazine, 30–35% of all public safety organizations in
the U.S. utilize Reserve Officers. With over 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, more than 5,000 policing agencies are believed to use these officers in some capacity. The total estimate of reserve police and deputies in the U.S. is approximately 77,500.

 

There are 61 Police Reserve Officers within the Department. They serve in a variety of assignments, and all hold the rank of Officer regardless of their rank at retirement. Police agencies across the country have
similar programs to bring back officers to fill important positions, and to spread their expertise to the younger generation of officers. They work alongside full-time officers and are held to the same standards.
The six officers who were sworn in have more than 100 years of experience collectively. Officer Jorge Gonzalez returned after only two months. He retired on February 16, 2023, as an officer after 32 years. Before retiring he was assigned to the Homeland Security Bureau, and is now assigned to the Midwest District. Officer Arturo Perez retired on June 30, 2022, as a sergeant, after 30 years. His last assignment before retirement was with the Communications Bureau, and now he is assigned to the Information Technology Services Bureau. Officer Lazaro Valdez also retired on June 30, 2022, after 30 years. Before retiring he was assigned to the Airport Operations Bureau, and is now assigned to the Midwest District. Officer Michael Tang served for 30 years before retiring on April 31, 2021, as an officer assigned to the Airport District. He is now assigned to the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute & Research Center. Officer Jorge Herrera retired on April 31, 2022, as a captain, after 31 years. Before retiring, he was assigned to the Homeland Security Bureau, and is now assigned to the Office of Assistant Director Thomas Buchanan. Officer James Dixon retired on January 31, 2022, as a sergeant after 30 years. Before retiring he was assigned to the Warrants Bureau, and will return there as a Police Reserve Officer. “This is a great moment for us, this is your home and we are glad that you are back here,” Director Ramirez told the Police Reserve Officers during their swearing in ceremony. The Department continues to add Police Reserve Officers. On Friday, June 16, 2023, retired Sergeant Robert Berris was sworn in by Director Ramirez.