Here to Protect and Defend Everyone

Chief Daniel J. Oates Miami Beach Chief of Police

As head of law enforcement for one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state with a year-round community comprised of diverse residents including a statistically significant LGBTQ population, my job is to ensure that all citizens regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or religion feel safe and protected.

Our residents and visitors can be assured that we, as Miami Beach police officers, support the right of all people to live free from discrimination in public spaces, have access to housing and have the right to come to work without the fear of being terminated for simply being who they are.

When I arrived five years ago, I was immediately struck at the department’s commitment to inclusivity. I have worked in police departments across the country, including the New York Police Department, and dare I say, that there is not a force in the country more committed to practicing inclusivity than that of the Miami Beach Police Department.

Our demonstrated work in the area of inclusivity, in large part, is the result of the trailblazing work of Detective Juan Sanchez, an openly gay officer, now retired, who served as the liaison between the department and the LGBTQ community of Miami Beach. Juan made creating a welcoming and inclusive force part of his personal mission. With my support, he went on to train other departments across the country.

In addition to being the fair and the morally right thing, having officers feel comfortable living openly and honestly accomplish two essential things: one, it allows our officers to feel comfortable being themselves, allowing them to focus on the work at hand; and two, it provides the next level of empathy in dealing with the issues facing our population. Thanks to Juan’s efforts and our entire team, we also developed a policy to serve the transgender community better. This policy has been adopted nationwide.

Every officer on the force genuinely embraces our commitment to ensuring that all people have equal protection under the law, whether it is standing up and supporting their fellow officers who are LGBTQ or treating everyone we encounter with the respect we all deserve and are entitled to receive.

My officers operate by a code of zero tolerance when it comes to discrimination of fellow officers or fellow citizens. This is particularly significant in a community which has witnessed crimes against two specific populations—the LGBTQ community and the Jewish community.

Miami Beach is a truly inclusive community where we all participate and celebrate each April during Pride week the enriching and valuable contributions of the LGBTQ community. Throughout the rest of the year, we are working to ensure that our residents feel safe in their workplaces, out in the community and in their own homes and their right to safety and respect are never put in jeopardy. 

While we are doing our work on our little corner of the Florida Coast, we also need to continue to advocate for this type of fair treatment across the state. Protection and equal treatment and access under the law don’t just belong to residents of Miami Beach or a handful of other forward-thinking communities. Every Floridian is and must be entitled to equal protections—to job safety, to public accommodations where they feel safe and access to housing.

As I wrap up my service in Miami Beach and begin a life of retirement this month, I hope a significant aspect of my legacy is that I inspired my team and my community to continue to treat everyone with fairness, respect, and kindness.

Daniel J. Oates is the Chief of Police of Miami Beach. He is retiring when his contract expires in June.


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