We’re witnessing history: In Miami-Dade, 4 Black women now lead major police departments | Opinion
The Lord works in mysterious ways. While some people seem to be working overtime to undue and/or change our history, four Black women law enforcers are steadily making history by becoming the head of the police departments in their jurisdictions.
With the appointment of Stephanie Daniels as the interim director of the Miami-Dade Police Department (she was named interim director after Director Freddy Rameriz tragically shot himself during a domestic dispute), Chief Cherise Gause of North Miami, Chief Harvette Smith, of North Miami Beach, and Chief Delmar Noel-Pratt of Miami Gardens, Miami Dade County becomes the first county in the state of Florida to have four Black women serving top cops in their municipalities.
“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s coming,” said Lonnie Lawrence, a now-retired law enforcement officer.
“These women will bring a different perspective to the table,” he said. “Females tend to look at things a bit differently. I believe they look more at the humanistic side of an issue. I want people to embrace these women. This is not a bad thing.”
Lawrence is the retired director of operations for Miami-Dade’s Aviation Department. Prior to that, he had worked his way up through the ranks to become a major with the Miami Dade County Department of Corrections. He also served as director of special operations for former Congressman Kendrick Meek.
To some, the appointment of these Black women might not be such a big thing. After all, this is 2023. Even so, the wheels of equality still turn slowly when it comes to promoting women and minorities.
So, to the Black community — especially to Black girls, big and little, who ow have four new role models — this is a gigantic move. And the four chiefs have big jobs, heading some of the county’s biggest law enforcement departments. Little Black girls can dream even bigger now.
Women have come a very long way in law enforcement. In Miami, we can’t mention the Black women chiefs without remembering a woman who paved the way for all women, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, to move up in South Florida’s law enforcement departments. That is Heather R. Morris, a white woman from Houston, Texas, who in 2021 became the first woman to serve as deputy chief of police in the city of Miami Police Department.
To me — an 85-year-old Black woman, who has lived through Jim Crow, attending segregated schools — these appointments are beams of bright lights that are guiding us through some hard times. Times when it seems that the way we got here, and our contributions to this country, matter little, or not at all. I say this because of the rapid way our history is being rewritten, and the way our stories are being whitewashed and banned altogether.
We are witnesses to history with the appointment of these women. More than that, their appointments give the Black community hope that maybe, just maybe, there will be a brighter tomorrow.
I understand that being in a leadership role is not easy, especially in law enforcement. It will be even harder for these women. They will be watched and scrutinized with a fine-tooth comb. They will have to be ever-mindful for the minefields and traps that are being set for them. They will be talked about and lied about, too. But with the help of God and their own perseverance, they can, and I believe will, make a difference in our community.
I have singled out these four Black women law enforcers because I am so very proud of them and their accomplishments. I am praying for their continued success.
However, I don’t only pray for them, but I also pray each day for all law enforcement officers, regardless of gender, color, or ethnic background. And yes, I know there are some bad “apples” in the mix. I pray for them, too. I pray the Lord will open their eyes to the responsibility they have to deal justly and equally with the people they are called to serve.
Theirs is not an easy job. Like each of us, law enforcement officers have families — husbands, wives, children, and other loved ones — who worry about them each time they leave home to do the job of protecting our community.
So today, as some try to wipe out, or change our history, we just keep on keeping on, busy climbing new mountains and making new history.
CWC Foundation to host Veterans Breakfast
The Collie Edison and Willie T. Coats Foundation (the CWC Foundation) will host its annual free Veterans Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 12 at the Wilbur B. Bell Park Recreation Center, 10301 SW 170th Terr.
It will be the first time since the pandemic that the breakfast is held, said Archie Coats, CWC president.
“We are expecting to serve more than 200 veterans and their spouses or dependents at the breakfast,” Coats said. “Our event is to honor and thank the veterans in our community for their service.”
Coats said his organization, “a small, nonprofit that is really making a difference,” serves nearly 160,000 families in the communities of Miami Gardens, Coconut Grove, South Miami, Richmond Heights, West Perrine, South Miami Heights and parts of Naranja. “During the pandemic, the women in our group — we call them our sisters — made over 5,000 face masks to pass out free to people in the community,” he said.
Coats said CWC partners with other groups such as the Miami VA Outreach Department, the 758th Engineers Co. Army Reservists, the 81st Family Readiness Support, and the Homestead Community Health Center, that will provide health screenings at the event.
The program will include speakers on topics like mental health, and entertainment from local artists.
Seating is limited. But if you wish to attend the breakfast, you can reserve your spot by calling 305-235-2053 or 305-748-7486, or by emailing Coats at archieleecoats@yahoo.com
Bea Hines can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com
