Miami-Dade schools police try to change minds with Explorers program

Program expected to expand next year

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – In the wake of police-involved shootings around the country, Miami-Dade Schools Police is working to change the perception of officers for children.

The department has a program that enlists students as Police Explorers. The program has more than 100 students ranging from eighth grade to high school. Miami-Dade schools Police Chief Ian Moffett said in it they are taught serious lessons and some that can cause a life-long effect.

Moffett said three police explorer posts started last year. The three are at Barbara Goleman, Southeastern and Law Enforcement Memorial high schools.

"What's going on around this country, particularly with law enforcement and citizens, I think school police officers, school resource officers, school safety officers have a point in their lives where they can impact lives today for a better tomorrow," Moffett said.

In July, videos of deadly encounters with police went viral after shootings in Baton Rouge and in Minnesota. That same week, a gunman opened fire on officers in Dallas killing five of them.

In South Florida, the community reacted to yet another video of an unarmed man -- with both hands raised -- who was shot by North Miami Police.

Police Explorer Elizabeth Cruz, 17, said she trusts police.

"Especially with everything that's going on, a lot of people have hatred towards officers, but they don't know how much they risk their lives for people," Cruz said.

"This program entirely changed anything I could have ever thought of the police," former Explorer William Modal said.

He graduated last year and is headed to college. He wants to be an FBI agent.

"They come to show you that they're people at the end of the day, that they do love, they have families, that they care," Modal said.

The number of students in the program is expected to double next year when the program expands to another three campuses.

"We're doing something. The community's doing something good, and if we continue to engage, we can do good things together," Moffett said. "We got to do it together."


About the Author:

Layron Livingston made the move from Ohio's Miami Valley to Miami, Florida, to join the Local 10 News team.