In a move signaling a shift towards broader recognition within the force, the Miami-Dade Police Department hosted its inaugural civilian promotions ceremony on August 9. This landmark event celebrated the advancement of 25 civilian staff members in various departments. According to the official report, Deputy Director Christopher J. Carothers joined by visibly proud family members and colleagues, handed out certificates to the promotees amid cheers and applause.
The significance of this ceremony was underscored by Carothers' acknowledgment of past oversight, stating in the website, "As mentioned earlier, traditionally the department has not held this type of recognition for civilian staff members and it was not because we didn’t like you or appreciate you or need you because all those things would be untrue." This recognition had apparently "kinda’ fell to the wayside," but with the initiation of this ceremony, a new precedent has been set to ensure continued acknowledgment of civilian promotions.
The ceremony, which took place at the Fred Taylor Headquarters Building in Doral, marked a turning point in honoring the critical contributions civilians make to the department's operations. As obtained by Miami-Dade's news release, Chief Stephanie L. Stoiloff proclaimed, "Your work is the backbone of everything we do in this department, I know that I don’t need to tell you that." Chief Stoiloff further listed the diverse areas within the department where promoted civilians served, including Fiscal & Departmental Services, Police Services, and the Crime Laboratory.
Dena Kelly, the department's Human Resources Manager, explained the promotion process for civilians, noting a distinction between automatic reclassifications, such as the promotion from a Criminalist 1 to a Criminalist 2 after probation and training, and the more typical promotional path where a job is advertised, candidates are interviewed, and the best candidate is selected. Among those celebrated was Intelligence Analyst Simone N. Robinson, commended for her 14-year tenure and critical work in the Special Victims Bureau. Robinson told Miami-Dade's coverage, "We are like the backbone of the department, helping to get subjects off the streets."
This event marked the first of three ceremonies slated to honor civilian staff promoted since January 2023, with a subsequent event already having taken place on August 13, recognizing an additional 33 civilians. Two more ceremonies are expected later in the year, continuing this new tradition of celebrating the vital contributions of civilian staff within the Miami-Dade Police Department.
