Miami Gardens Names 1st Female Police Chief
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A historic first for the City of Miami Gardens.
The city has announced that Delma Noel-Pratt will be their first female police chief.
City Manager Cameron Benson believes "the City of Miami Gardens is fortunate to have a leader of her caliber, expertise, and talent in service of the greater Miami Gardens' Community.
"We are so excited to welcome Chief Pratt to Miami Gardens," states Mayor Oliver Gilbert. "Her long career with the county brings extensive knowledge and experience to meet the needs of our community. We're looking forward to taking our police department to new levels of excellence under her leadership."
CBS4's Hank Tester caught up with the new chief. He asked her about her plans for the city.
"So the war zone image of Miami Gardens you hope will be gone in a year, two years?" CBS4's Hank Tester asked her.
"It will be gone. Like I said, what is important is a partnership with agencies – federal, state and local. A lot of subjects out there, they go across the borderlines. Therefore it is incumbent on me and my troop to work with other agencies, we have to share information. We have to build cases together, and if we do that, crime will decrease," she responded.
In Miami Gardens, residents often live in fear. Crime has a major impact on their lives and nothing seems to get done.
"The crime here is really bad. Someone needs to step in and help the city," Maria Holland, a Miami Gardens resident, said.
Noel-Pratt said she's hears their worries and is ready to do something about it.
"Their concern is my concern and together we are going to solve the issue that is going on in the city of Miami Gardens. I am proactive. I will be out there with my personnel assuring that they are doing the right things. I am sure within a year it will look even brighter," Noel-Pratt said.
Noel-Pratt brings 24 years of police experience to Miami Gardens. She began her law enforcement career as a Public Service Aide for the City of Miami Police Department in 1989. In January 1993, she joined the Miami-Dade Police department where she is currently a Division Chief.
Noel-Pratt will take over her new position on May 1st.
"It is what I hope, that she does wonderful things for the city of Miami Gardens. We need it," said Miami Gardens resident Micki Lexus.
