102-2001 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
WNW.ci.miami-beach. fl.us
L.T.C. No.!@;;;-:J(/X/> I
LETTER TO COMMISSION
May 18,2001
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
SUBJECT: SELECTION OF MIAMI BEACH POLICE OFFICER ROBERT LANIER AS
THE DADE COUNTY ASSOCIATION CHIEFS OF POLICE OFFICER OF
THE MONTH
This Letter to the Commission is to advise that Officer Robert Lanier of our Police Department was
selected as the Officer of the Month for April 2001, by the Dade County Association of Chiefs of
Police.
Officer Lanier was selected from all of the police officers in Miami-Dade County for his outstanding
response to what appeared to be a routine shoplifting case that turned into a child abuse
investigation, Officer Lanier displayed sharp instincts and a level of perseverance that led to the
arrest of a runaway juvenile's father for child abuse and rescued a child from an abusive home and
the streets. A complete account of the case is attached for your review,
Officer Lanier was honored by the Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police on May 17, 2001,
at their monthly meeting, where he was presented the Officer of the Month Award.
Please join me in congratulating Officer Lanier. Without question, Officer Lanier's professionalism
is a tribute t~ ~f and all the other fine men and women who serve in our Police Department.
JMG:at~~MMSf,Q-
Attachments
F:\POLI\TECHSERV\PQLlCIES\COM_MEMO\officer lanier officer oflhe monthJt<:.wpd
~,~v-e9-el 01:05 PM MIAMI SHORES PD
305 795 2212
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Dade County
Association of
Chiefs of Police
P. O. Box 546706
Surfs/de, Florida 33154-0706
May 9. 2001
Richard R. Barreto
Chief of Police
City of Miami Beach Police Department
1100 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dear Chief Barreto:
I am pleased to inform you that the DCACP Awards Committee has selected Officer
Robert Lanier of your department as the "Officer of the Month" for April 2001. Please
convey our comminee's congratulations to Officer Lanier and extend our invitation to
attend the upcoming DCACP dinner meeting which will be held on May 17th at the
Shelbome Beach Resort in MilUhi Beach., beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.rn, and
followed by dinner at 7:30 p,m, Please inform Officer Lanier that his spouse (or
significant other) is invited as well, and that he should call Trish or Terrie at (305) 673-
1925 as soon as possible to confirm attendance.
You should be honored to have such an outstanding individual represent/ni your agency.
.- ~~'~ :'-')
Richard H~~~t~;i~~
D.CAC.P, Awards Committee
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Of Commendation
Nomination Form
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Name of Nominee(s): Robert Lanier Nominated for: (check all that apply)
OMedal of Valor OUnit Citation
Title of Nominec(s): Officer OOfficer of the Year XOfficer of the Month
DCivilian of the Year DCivilian of the Month
OOutstanding Service OCertificate of Appreciation
Assignment: 3'. Platoon Bicycle patrol OCommunity Service OChamber of Commerce-
Lincoln Road - Quarterly Civic Award
Date of Incident:
March 4, 2001
Case Number: 01-8145
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Narration: (Use separate page if necessary)
Sergeant Howard Zeifman
Print Name
Date March 28, 2001
Officer Robert Lanier was dispatched to Walgreen's Drug store in reference to a
shoplifter in custody. The subject had an accomplice with him. Officer Lanier was
advised by Walgreen's security that they did not want to prosecute. Officer Lanier did
a records check of the subjects which revealed that the accomplice was a reported
runaway from Metro Dade. After being transported to Miami Beach Police station she
was questioned by Officer Lanier and became defensive and nervous about being
transported home. She was questioned about being abused and did not admit any
abuse. Officer Lanier transported the runaway juvenile home with the permission of
his supervisor because he believed that the runaway female was in fact not telling the
truth. While on the drive he learned that the father may have an outstanding warrant
for his arrest.
After turning over the juvenile runaway to her father, Officer Lanier had a
conversation with a male on the scene. The male explained that the father has been
abusing the juvenile female runaway both physically and sexually for years. Officer
Lanier returned to the residence and retrieved the juvenile female runaway and
contacted Metro-Dade Police department. After some questioning by Metro-Dade
Officer McDonough and Officer Lanier the juveniles father was arrested for the
outstanding warrant. Upon further questioning by Officer Lanier the juvenile runaway
female admitted to being sexually abused by the father. A Metro Dade sexual abuse
juvenile detective responded and took over the investigation. The juvenile was
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transported to Rape treatment center. The father was arrested for Sexual Battery and
other charges that would be discussed the State Attorney's office.
With his training and experience Officer Lancer's initial suspicion about the juvenile
being abused proved to be true. Officer Lanier took the necessary time to question
the juvenile and find out the facts.
Two days after the arrest Metro-Dade Detective Milito Giancarlo contacted this writer
to say that he would like to commend Officer Lanier, on following up on the
information and body language that the juvenile gave him. I also received a call from
Detective Peter Rodriguez from Miami Beach Police on the outstanding work that
Officer Lanier did on followingup on the case. .
Officer Robert Lanier is recommended for OFFICER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH 2001.
Note to SUDervfsors: This form must be forwarded ASAP and be received by the Awards Board by the 5th day of the month showing
the d e f inC1f~or it annat be considered for Officer / CiVifl.;an ~ t~e ~th award.
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Nomin ~'(\mme:9iat upervisor Date No nee's Next Immediate Supervisor Date
LlI 3-d~-DI .
Division' Commander Date
DISPOSITION: o LETTER OF COMMENDATION
~AWARDED of<.. 0\ N\l).n-Q.
AW~~hairperson or Vice Chairperson ~
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