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039: From Miami Streets to Sweetwater Leadership: Assistant Chiefs Frank Fernandez and Chief Diez (Sweetwater PD)

• Police and Fire Chaplain Collab

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The episode delves into the vital role of community policing, highlighting the experiences and insights of Sweetwater's Chief Diez and Assistant Chief Fernandez. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the personal motivations that drive these leaders, the importance of building relationships within the community, and the ongoing challenges faced by modern law enforcement. 

• Chief Diez shares his journey in law enforcement 
• Assistant Chief Fernandez emphasizes teamwork and support
• Importance of community engagement in building trust 
• Personal anecdotes highlight the human side of policing 
• Discussion on the challenges and rewards of law enforcement 
• The role of community policing in modern law enforcement 
• Insights into leadership and personal growth in the police force 
• Calls for community involvement and feedback 
• Recognition of the police department's recent achievements

Intro:

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Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

Well, good afternoon everyone, and thank you again for having me on the program. It's a great pleasure to be surrounded by such great human beings and I'm Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez. I've been here approximately three and a half months in the city of Sweetwater, just retired from the city of Miami after 30 years of service there. I'm very proud of that, but excited about the present, more excited about the future and, like I said, nothing but good things coming and great blessings.

Joey Alcala:

Thank you for having me. Yes, sir, chief Diaz, nothing but good things coming and great blessings.

Chief Diez:

Thank you for having me. Yes, sir. Chief Diaz. Well, thank you for having me. Yeah, it's truly an honor to be here. I've known you guys for a long time. Yes, sir, I'm also a retiree of the city of Miami, now the chief in Sweetwater, so I knew you guys before Sweetwater. Yeah. Yeah, it's been a great, great adventure in 33 years of law enforcement and the chaplains are extremely important to us and again, it's a pleasure to be here with both of you. It really is, thank you.

Joey Alcala:

Thank you. Thank you for accepting the invitation. It's our pleasure as well. He keeps referring to the both of us. If you listen to Ask a Cop, you know we have producer chaplain man of God Adrian there behind the board and he'll chime in later, but we want to let him concentrate on the tech aspect. He's doing a lot, but I think we have another Sweetwater Chaplain on the line. Let's welcome him to the program. Good afternoon.

1:

It's a pleasure to be on air. Thank you for accepting my call. I want to make a correction. I'm glad that Chaplain Adrian made up for wearing the shirt of Miami. He said our chief, sweetwater. So you're back in, just joking.

1:

Listen, my question is fast, it's quick, I want to give opportunity for other people to call, but first of all addressing the top cop in Sweetwater, chief Diaz, thank you for coming on. My question to you would be, as a man that has had an extensive law enforcement career and I know a lot of times different people along the chain of command. They put their eyes on the top, top seat, and so now you're there if you could speak of any of the challenges and if you could also speak for the future chiefs, as we always believe, investing in others. Maybe that major, maybe that captain, maybe that patrolman, maybe that explorer that's listening to the program today, what would the chief that has arrived and attained the top seat, top cop in the city of Sweetwater, what would you say to them that will help them to be able to aspire and try their best? And then a question to Chief Fernandez. Assistant Chief Fernandez.

1:

Thank you for coming back on the program and being on God's Way Radio. My question to you would be what would you say first of all, the joys of being an assistant chief, the joys of supporting, of holding the arms up of the top cop, his vision, his plan, his desire for that department? What are the joys of aiming at that, seeing that fulfilled? And again the similar question what would you say to the patrolman, to the sergeant, to the lieutenant?

1:

Question what would you say to the patrolman, to the sergeant, to the lieutenant, to anyone along in law enforcement that maybe one day they do law enforcement right in this season of their life, that they could be in the seat that you have, you know when you're ready to go fishing, you know, or go enjoy other things in life. Thank you for your 30 years man. Thank you for being there. I'm going to hang up, just listen. I'm sorry I'm not there, but that only means that I hope to have you back on the morning program for the morning audience of God's Way Radio and Ask a Cop. Gentlemen, god bless you.

Chief Diez:

All the best to you.

1:

I respect and appreciate both of you.

Chief Diez:

Thank you, Pastor Raz. Thank you so much.

Joey Alcala:

Awesome. So, chief Diaz we Awesome.

Chief Diez:

So, chief Diaz, we can go with you. First, the invitation to share. So he asked something interesting. What would I say to that explorer, that officer, that sergeant is follow your dreams. I can remember as a little kid I always wanted to be an officer and I always wanted to follow my dreams, and I do. The other thing is which is very important for any of us, as wearing a badge is treat others like you would want to be treated. Respect all the time, not just some of the time, respect all the time. So education is important as you go up the ranks and I just think that you need to follow your dreams and stay humble and treat everybody you come in contact on the street with respect. Yeah, and I think Frank would agree with me on that one.

Joey Alcala:

Anything to add? Yes, sir.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

Absolutely yeah. So how do we get here? The most important thing I would tell anyone in law enforcement that wants to move up the ranks is know your why, know why you do this job, know the reasons you signed up for it in the first place and always, always, remember the oath that you took. We put our hand up and swore on the bible. That doesn't change. That doesn't change at any time through our career. So so stay true to those principles, stay true to the truth, be a person of faith, and everything else will find its way to a successful conclusion. But you have to really know yourself at a deeper level before you can help others, and that, to me, has been the most important thing during my career, the most important thing during my career. And it isn't until you understand why you're here in this profession and the reasons you did it in the first place to be able to grow and be able to help others that will be my biggest projection forward.

Joey Alcala:

You know that's great. It's a tough job. It's not for everyone, you know, having the why. Thank you, sir. If you want to participate, if you're listening live on september, the 5th, the first tuesday in september, well, you can call, you can text and be a part of our program. 786-313-3115. That's the phone number to call or text 786-313-3115. And if you're listening at a later date, if you're listening to the recording, perhaps on the podcast Ask a Cop, then you can still text or call and we will direct that text or call accordingly. So if you're listening live, please participate. 786-313-3115. Chief Diaz, you said you wanted to be a cop since you were a kid. What are some of your earliest memories of that of thinking? I think I want to be a police officer.

Chief Diez:

My earliest memory was chasing my cousin who was a robber, and I was the cop chasing him. Little kids running around the apartment building and I'm always trying to catch the bad guy. That's my earliest memory.

Joey Alcala:

And then, and you never grew out of it Never grew out of it. That's awesome.

Chief Diez:

And then there was a TV show that none of you two. Yeah, you may remember, maybe the reruns, maybe the reruns Chips yeah.

Joey Alcala:

Yes, sir.

Chief Diez:

Yes, sir, maybe the reruns chips.

Adrian Caballero:

Yeah, yep, yes sir, yes sir they were at nick at night.

Chief Diez:

I think that. Yeah, you got it, they were at night, but definitely saw the reruns. So, chips, uh was about two motorcycle uh lap la county um sheriffs in california and ever since I saw the two motorcycle riders I was like I want to be them.

Joey Alcala:

Sweet.

Chief Diez:

And I ended up. By the way, I was a motorcycle officer at one time.

Joey Alcala:

Oh awesome, I didn't know that. See, learning things about our chief.

Chief Diez:

That's when I knew. That's when I knew.

Joey Alcala:

Awesome. So again, if you're listening, maybe you have a desire, a passion, maybe it's going to become a calling. Listen up, listen in and we'll see what more the men will share with us. Chief, you're Chief of Sweetwater right now. How long now, chief of Sweetwater? I'm going on my fourth month. Fourth month? So you said 33 years in law enforcement. So what were you doing? The other 32?

Chief Diez:

years. Walk us through your career a little bit, please. It's an interesting career. I started back in 1990 in the High Lake Gardens Police Department when I was small. Now it's a bigger area.

Joey Alcala:

Do you remember about how many people were there when you were there?

Chief Diez:

It was about 40-plus police officers. I started there. Great place to work, a lot of community policing. That's a type of department where you kind of knew all the residents. So that kind of started me into the community policing theories. And that was that going to the businesses. That's cutting edge 1990.

Joey Alcala:

That's early 1990.

Chief Diez:

That's before the name community policing started and you know we would go to a call or something and probably end up staying there a little longer talking to the residents. We knew where you know all the business people. So in late 1995, I wanted to work for a department that I always wanted to be part of and some of us and Frank will tell you, the palm tree city of.

Chief Diez:

Miami. Yes sir, for us guys from Miami, we call it the palm tree. So I went to the city of Miami and I ended up working in just about every area that you can work. I started in patrol, but I worked in a lot of different areas in Miami. I started up north in the areas of Little Haiti, liberty City, upper East Side. I ended up working in Little Havana and Flagami and Coconut Grove. I worked in Brickell area. Brickell was much different, back then Totally different.

Joey Alcala:

Totally completely different.

Chief Diez:

I remember working midnights and there wouldn't be no cars come 6, 7 in the morning. Now it's traffic and then I ended up finishing my patrol time in downtown Miami, which really was incredible, incredible time. I enjoyed it because I watched downtown Miami change in front of my eyes I actually saw the well, I think I don't know what they call it the new name. Yeah, the arena I don't know, but back then it was the AAA. I actually watched the first, groundbreaking them clear, the actual field.

Joey Alcala:

And I'll tell you Because it was just grass before. It was just grass.

Chief Diez:

I'll tell you an interesting history. While it was being built, it caught fire. The AAA arena caught fire one night and I was there and luckily they turned it off and then they continued the construction. So I actually, in front of my eyes, I watch the city of miami change completely to what it is now.

Joey Alcala:

I mean, in a sense, you watched the city of miami that we know today. You watched it be birthed.

Chief Diez:

You watched I, I watched it in front of my eyes, uh, where there was absolutely nobody out there in the streets working. It was just us, the police officers, and an occasional person here and there, but I also wanted to do other things and I ended up going to a couple different units. One was traffic homicide, which unfortunately dealt with the death of people in car accidents.

Joey Alcala:

And that would be the position of detective. Detective.

Chief Diez:

Okay. I was also a public information officer. I did a little part of PIO back when it was Delrish Moss, who's now the chief in Miramar, one of my mentors there, and Angel Casadilla that unfortunately passed away and also another mentor. Then I wanted to do a few other things. I went to internal affairs. That was very interesting and I eventually was promoted to sergeant, and while in sergeant I went to the homicide unit. So have you guys ever watched the show First 48?

Joey Alcala:

I haven't.

Chief Diez:

Okay. Well, there's a show in A&E called First 48.

Joey Alcala:

Okay.

Chief Diez:

So I was in a couple of those shows. Oh wow, yeah, they followed us around while we investigated homicides and I did that for a couple years. Then I went back to the internal affairs and I ended up being an investigator as a sergeant in the public corruption unit. Now it sounds really you know, public corruption, yeah, taking down corruption.

Joey Alcala:

So the state attorney's office started a group of guys they call it task force and it was different police departments and our task was to investigate politicians you know I I gotta chime in there because I wonder, and you're gonna describe a little more about what you did but I wonder how many people know that right Cause people complain, all politics, this dirty politicians, that there's people that are monitoring, there's people that are looking right. So please continue.

Chief Diez:

So I, I did that for, uh, for about five years, Um, and I can probably go through a list which I won't.

Joey Alcala:

No, of course of course of uh, a list which I won't, of course, of course of uh people that we arrested there.

Chief Diez:

Wow, um, yeah, yeah and the best way to describe that that position was I had a seat at the theater in the front so I got to see all the movies. Wow, you know, that was the best way to describe, that's how we used to describe it I. I knew everything that was going on in the county.

Joey Alcala:

Were you ever in that unit? Assistant chief no.

Chief Diez:

I was not Okay, I was not, he was on something close to it Different, have a different path.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

A different seat at the theater. I had a different seat.

1:

Gotcha.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

I was at the driving.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, that's a good one. So you were saying you were after that unit.

Chief Diez:

Yeah, I was there for a couple of years and then my mentor and my close friend and somebody I admire a lot, chief George Golina, became chief. So every chief has just like I think you had Umse Ramos here today he also had the same position as me.

Chief Diez:

It's called the executive officer to the chief, better known as the XO. Anybody who's been in the military knows what an XO is. He represents the chief. He's the in-between from politicians to city, to employees, and so I basically did that for a couple of years with Chief Colina, and then, in 2020, I retired. Wow. But I didn't stop there, yeah.

Joey Alcala:

So did you go? Because the last thing you mentioned was Sergeant. Did you continue to rise up to the rank I went from?

Chief Diez:

Sergeant to Executive Officer which is a command staff level.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, that's amazing.

Chief Diez:

And I was there for about three years until I had to retire.

Joey Alcala:

I was done with my drop. The allotted time, the years, yeah.

Chief Diez:

So while I was at the police department I had very good relationships with the state attorney's office and Kathy Fernandez-Rundle, so she she brought me in when I retired from Miami and I was with her office for two and a half years and I was the supervisor again in the public corruption unit Very interesting.

Joey Alcala:

So I got to ask. I got to ask, chief, now again, I know there's things you can't talk about, but what can you tell us about that? I mean, what can you tell the citizens, the public, that they may not know the, the work that's being done, the accountability that people are being held to give us something, chief, tell us about it I know, I know that uh, the public gets very frustrated, uh, especially with the politicians, because they feel that nobody's monitoring, nobody's investigating, uh, etc.

Chief Diez:

But I'm here to tell you somebody's always looking these investigations. If we would investigate a mayor or a councilman, and this is the state level.

Joey Alcala:

now you're talking about State level.

Chief Diez:

I was at the state level. Some cases would take two to three years. Wow, and it's because you have to subpoena.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, yeah, you want to do it right.

Chief Diez:

You have to look at witnesses and then some of these cases you're also dealing with. They're white-collar crimes, they call them. You're dealing with very expensive attorneys. So as an investigator you have to be on point. You can't cut corners. You've got to make sure you have your evidence correct. You've got to make sure you spoke to all the witnesses. And before you make an arrest on a politician which I did plenty well, arrest probably you look it up on the newspaper, you know, comes out many um so it.

Chief Diez:

It's not an easy job, but there's not enough investigators. I can tell you that you.

2:

Budget that's how it is.

Chief Diez:

But I can tell the public I know it gets frustrating and I hear it on the radio that oh, nobody's looking into these things.

Joey Alcala:

Not on this radio.

Chief Diez:

Yeah, yeah, they are looking. There's several agencies here in Dick County that have that type of jobs, great.

Joey Alcala:

Well, there you have it, if you just tuned in in. Yes, the politicians that we can sometimes find ourselves complaining about. Now, if you're a believer, we have a set of orders from our commander-in-chief, jesus. You know, we want to pray for them, we want to hold them in regard and honor, but sometimes we slip, okay, but these guys and ladies, these people that are in the public space, they are being held accountable. So that's pretty sweet to know. If you just tuned in. This is God's Way Radio. Hey, first of all, if you're listening to the podcast, ask a Cop, thank you for listening. Make sure you catch up on all the episodes you miss. If you're listening live, the first Tuesday of every month it happens to be September 5th as of this recording, 5th as of this recording you can call, you can text, if you're listening live 786-313-3115. 786-313-3115. Guys, you don't want to miss this opportunity.

Joey Alcala:

This is the chief of police, as Pastor has said, the top cop in Sweetwater. He has experience. He now has how do I say this? He has a weight of responsibility. I mean, he's the chief of police, it's all on him in a sense. So you can ask him anything you would like. He told us, chief. Let them hear you affirm it. You said anything. You know anything we want to ask you. You'll field the question as best as you can, so it will be good. Chief, let me ask you that transition. You were XO Executive Officer for Chief George Colina and then you were at the State Attorney's Office. I know you also jumped around, if you want to mention that department quickly, but I really want to get to how you became Chief of Sweetwater, I agree.

Chief Diez:

Awesome. So while I was at the state attorney's office and I'll make it quick a new chief started at Hialeah Police Department.

Joey Alcala:

Which is different from Hialeah Gardens. Correct, I had to get that straight Hialeah Police Department.

Chief Diez:

Chief George Fuente, also a very good friend of mine and a mentor. Awesome. They brought me in to also help with the new administration at the Hialeah Police Department and I was also his XO, his chief Basically it's a chief of staff position at the Hialeah Police Department. So I was there for seven months and I was happy and I didn't think I was going to go anywhere until I got that call on a Sunday morning from now, Mayor Jose Pepe Diaz. Wow. So it was a little bit of a process.

Chief Diez:

Yeah, you had to interview I had to interview. He had a couple of names in his mind. I did a few interviews. Actually it's an interesting interview because I did it in a car driving around sweetwater being asked several questions.

Joey Alcala:

What would you do if this happened? That was my interview with the mayor in the car.

Chief Diez:

With the mayor in the car, the mayor would tell me okay, look at this drive here what do?

Chief Diez:

you think? What would you do? I love that. I I did like three of those interviews with chief uh diaz um and I I think it. I think it's a great opportunity. I love the vibe in this city. Sweetwater is not what it used to be in the 90s. You have a residential. Actually, we're divided in three areas, so you have the residential area, then you have the area of businesses, which is where the Dolphin Mall is, and all the surrounding businesses. There's a lot of them. And then there's an area now that people don't know much about, which is the west side of the Turnpike, and the best way to describe that is Telemundo Topgolf. That's all new.

Joey Alcala:

That's all new and that's all part of— the Home Depot there Correct, that's all part of Sweet.

Chief Diez:

Home Depot there, correct, that's all part of Sweetwater and it goes all the way to 137th Avenue yeah, big area so I'm actually my police department. It's actually, as it's, bigger than a lot of police departments. It's probably bigger than Miami Lakes, bigger than than Miami Springs good to know it's actually growing, and how many officers? Now I'm at about 70, close to 70 officers.

Joey Alcala:

I'm sure you'll hit 100 soon.

Chief Diez:

Yeah, for sure that's coming. There's nowhere around it and our mayor has a vision for the city to even grow more, so it's an interesting makeup Residential. And then I'm going to give you one more that a lot of people don't know residential and businesses. However, if you drive down Tamiami Trail, which is Southwest 8th Street bye-bye FIU and you look to your left and you look to the side of Sweetwater, which is the north side, you're going to see a bunch of buildings. Those are FIU student dorms. So there's approximately about four of them right now and there's another two or three coming huge so I have about 5,000 students right now so those are?

Joey Alcala:

I've always wondered those are FIU dorms. It's not like anybody can rent there. You have to be an.

Chief Diez:

FIU student they're privately owned gotcha so the responsibility I have there too. So that's called the University District Gotcha, and there's more of those buildings coming yeah yeah. So it's an interesting city. It's a great chance to a blank canvas. Yeah.

Chief Diez:

I have a lot of opportunities here to make this police department one that everybody admires. Yeah, to make this police department one that everybody admires. And then, most of all, the man to my right, chief Fernandez. When I was given the green light to be the chief of police, I also had to choose two chiefs, assistant chiefs, so I went to the draft. Some of you that know football, right, I love it. Yeah, I had to go to the draft because I had to look for. Of you that know football, right, I love it.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, I had to go to the draft because I had to look for some players and, for round one, sweetwater Bakes.

Chief Diez:

I already had gone to the draft, but now I had to go to free agency Gotcha gotcha and free agency free agent Frank Fernandez was available. He was retiring from the city of Miami.

Joey Alcala:

He was just getting his fishing pole ready. He was getting it ready?

Chief Diez:

Yes, he was, and his camper. And that's when I had my agent contact his agent and we ended up signing a I don't know how many year contract. And now I got an MVP assistant chief.

Joey Alcala:

And a big shout out to assistant chief Gil Noel Gil, noel Gil as well. We want to give him a big shout out. Hopefully he'll be here one of these days, but we actually have a call. Gentlemen, let's take this call. Good afternoon, you're live on God's Way Radio.

3:

Hey, good afternoon, chief and Assistant Chief. Thank you for what you guys do. My name's Jose Perez, I'm a chaplain with South Miami PD and I'm also an overseer there in Calvary Chapel, miami, and I just have one question, actually two questions. First of all, what's the toughest thing that you guys have faced that you had to do? And then, what can the chaplains do to help out with that?

Joey Alcala:

Great question, jose. Thank you, my brother. Thank you so much. We gonna get to it, uh, and before he hangs up, we want to uh, just say anything, uh, uh, and then we'll answer the question, kind of like we could say see you later, drop the call in case more people call, and then we'll answer his question. But did you want to say anything to him directly before we hang up?

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

okay, thanks for calling in um. The toughest thing for me believe it not was retiring from a police department which I served in for 30 years and taking the leap forward, making the switch, leaving it behind and looking forward. Believe it or not, after you spend 30 years it becomes family the people you work with, the routine, the uniform. It becomes very complex emotionally. So for me it was a tough decision, but I'm going to tell you what made it much easier for me. I left two years of my drop in the city of Miami to come here. When Chief Diaz called me and proposed this opportunity for me, I couldn't say no. Wow.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

First and foremost, it's working for it's. It's working for an incredible person that I know will have my back, that I know will have my family's back, and then it's also an opportunity for me. I went, I came here as a as a major I was a major at city of Miami uh police department. I ran the special operations section and I'm the operations chief here and the opportunity to actually make an impact without all the red tape that comes with a larger agency, it is truly inspirational. So I am I am, you know, blending into this culture, blending into this department. I love what I'm feeling. I love the people here, I love the vibe, I love the growth and growth.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

But the toughest thing for me was cutting the umbilical cord at a place where I was at for 30 years that felt like family and starting something new that I knew nothing about. It happened quick, I didn't have a lot of time to think, but it has been a blessing. My family loves it. My family loves it, my family feels it. It has been a blessing and I'm totally appreciative not only to Chief Diaz, but also Mayor Diaz and Assistant Chief Deputy Chief Noel Gill, who is also an amazing leader, and we have clicked as a team like I had not felt in a long, long time. But that's pretty much my explanation to that Awesome.

Chief Diez:

Uh, chief. Well, first of all, I'd like to say hello to Jose Perez, the chaplain from South Miami, who also, uh, I don't know him. However, I do know of his agency and you have a great leader there who just retired, Renee Landa. So my and I have a good friend there, Detective Fernando Bosch in.

Chief Diez:

South Miami. So I'd like to say thank you for what you do. It takes a special person and I'm going to answer mine a little bit differently. I had an incident in 1992 where I unfortunately had to defend myself and I was involved in a police shooting and I went through some tough times in 1992 I had it was a good shooting and everything, but, however, it's not an easy task mentally. So I I ended up using the, the psychological services back then. Yeah, um, it was a tough time, yeah, um, and I just want to say thank you.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, you know, I mean Chief. That that's. I'm so thankful that you shared that. You know, and you could tell that it still affects you to this day and I'm sure in both positive ways and tough ways. You know it made you the man and the officer that you are.

Joey Alcala:

But you know, adrian, I feel like we say this every single program, but it probably needs to be said every single program which is cops are people too, you know, it's just their work. Uniform looks very unique. I mean, that's almost all it is, you know. So, chief, thank you so much for that moment of vulnerability, that difficulty.

Chief Diez:

But I wanted to say especially thank you, uh, miss jose perez, for what you do for those officers over there, just like these gentlemen here awesome, awesome, thank you.

Joey Alcala:

So so we, we, uh, we let him go. That means we have two phone lines open. Family, are you considering, uh, asking a question or texting in? Well, you want to do that now. You don't want too much time to go by, because then we're not gonna have time and we're all gonna be very sad and no one wants that. So you could text or call right now 786-313-3115. We have the chief of sweetwater police department, chief diaz, here with us and assistant chief frank fernandez, and you can ask them anything that you want. Uh, you might have a comment, a word of encouragement, a prayer, you might have a question about Sweetwater specifically, policing in general, or maybe their specific careers or perspectives. Again, that phone number to call or text is 786-313-3115. You know, chief and Assistant Chief Fernandez, sweetwater is very interesting, it's very neat. Even as I drive through and I'm sure everybody can see this, you know, you see very, very, very young people and you see the old timers, you see the people that built the salad it's a salad.

Joey Alcala:

You know it's amazing and it's across the street from each other, especially in that corridor near the station.

Chief Diez:

You know you have some of these homes, duplexes or condos and all the students now and then the students right along the street.

Joey Alcala:

It's amazing Any sweet moments so far in your four months or your three months at Sweetwater. Maybe it was an older resident, maybe it was a student. Any sweet moments in Sweetwater?

Chief Diez:

Hey, that's funny, sweet in Sweetwater so far, you know, for me it's been speaking to the, the business owners on the west side of the Turnpike. Awesome, I don't want to say they were not serviced properly. However, it seems like they felt like they weren't getting the services that they deserve.

Assistant Chief Noel Gil:

Yeah.

Chief Diez:

And I've actually met with Amazon, john Deere, badias. That's great, and I'm going to all the different businesses. I went to Home Depot management over there and I'm letting them know. So the sweetest part is those business folks on the west side especially is saying thank you. That's great. And giving them my phone number and telling them you guys can call me for anything and I'm promising them more services as they continue.

Joey Alcala:

That's great. We have a. There's a picture of me there. That was a fun event. Assistant Chief, tell us about your sweet moment.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

Well, my sweet moment will always be talking to the community. More specifically, some of these festivals and events that we've had recently at Rosselli Park.

Joey Alcala:

Now, rosselli Park is kind of a hub. It's Rosselli Park. There's a main office of something there. No Parks Department. It's our Parks Department in the city of Sweetwater. Yes, okay, okay.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

And the children, the kids that come up to you and say thank you, and that particular day which I think it was several weeks ago.

Joey Alcala:

We had a going back to school day and I think you might have been there, I was there.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

It was awesome, but the kids that come up to you and say thank you, gracias, Spanish. It always reaches a special place in my heart, Because I remember growing up in the inner city in Pennsylvania and hardly ever did you come in contact with a police officer, and the power and the effect that we have when we touch a young life and we speak to these kids and it's something that's always, always reaches me at a deeper level and for me it has been the children and the part of going out there. I have the time to do it now.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

I have the time to go to my bicycle and do some bike. I was gonna say I saw you on the bicycle, yeah and and I just engage in the community members and them actually thanking you. I stopped by an elderly center recently oh, that's great.

Joey Alcala:

Um, just east of the station and and uh, the welcoming there was also very powerful man I mean, that is a highlight for me, you know, to visit the, the elderly center, the elderly folks. What a need, what a need for for them to see that they're not forgotten. Uh, we had a call. Uh, I think I recognize the caller id my brother. You always represent sweetwater. We want to hear from you, a sweetwater resident. So if I got that right and I saw the caller id, please call back. Hey, if, if you're not sweetwater resident, you don't know what I'm talking about, that's okay, you can call too. I'm thinking of one brother in particular, but the phone lines are open. You can text or call right now 786-313-3115.

Joey Alcala:

And just to comment on the, the back to school bash or festival or event. Uh, man, it was so professional. I mean, here's the things you know if you notice this kind of stuff the, the, the. What's it called? The clay? The clay of the. The baseball field was covered with tarp and then it only came up to the grass, and that's just genius. I mean you. So that way you don't get muddy, right, you don't get that muddy clay everywhere. They covered the whole clay with tarp, so that park is about to change.

Chief Diez:

Oh wow, okay, the city's going to spend some money on they're going to bring different fields, they're going to change the fields Awesome. Also adding soccer.

Joey Alcala:

Nice, oh, that's going to be great Pick a ball. Oh, adrian's going to be there, adrian's going to be there and they're redoing the kids area.

Chief Diez:

Yeah, the kids area, yeah, uh, you're gonna see a uh, uh, an improvement. That's awesome. That park and that day that you went for the back to school, that was our first day we rolled up, rolled out our bicycle unit nice so our bicycle unit is back that's amazing sweet water.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, they did an amazing job. You know, I was even, and again I mean just great police work. You know I was trying to load the kids in the car they were wet, changing them and I saw it was like clockwork. Every couple minutes assistant chief came by with another officer just patrolling. You know it was awesome I learned something new today.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

Yeah, philadelphia just outside of philadelphia reading pennsylvania. Yes, I grew up in the reading pa. There you go. I'll give you a fun fact.

Chief Diez:

Yeah, I was born in venezuela. Oh amazing. Yeah, a lot of people don't know that about me. Cuban parents, but I was born in Venezuela.

Joey Alcala:

That's amazing. So they emigrated to Venezuela. Wow, adrian.

Adrian Caballero:

Well, you can find out more about that little time in Frank Fernandez's Assistant Chief, frank Fernandez's life on the ASCA Cup. We talk a little bit about Pennsylvania and some stories there and how that goes. So if you want more information, you're interested. Pennsylvania, some stories there and and how that goes. So if you want more information, you're interested. Pennsylvania he's in miami. He got the palm tree. What happened? There's no palm trees and you can find out more ask a cop and check it out frank misses that cold weather.

Chief Diez:

That's no, of course I do, yeah so chief?

Joey Alcala:

um so you, you interview, you get hired. Chief of police. Uh, of sweetwater, I mean, I was at the I don't know if inauguration's the night.

Joey Alcala:

The swearing in the, swearing in for you, for it's a good vibe that day oh man, beautiful, beautiful ceremonies, and you know you could just tell there was a, there was a camaraderie. I mean there were so many agencies represented and everyone's swearing in and just the gratitude, the thankfulness that you guys shared from the stage. Uh, chief, maybe this is kind of like a I don't know cliche, but I really mean it. What does this mean to you? 33 years in law enforcement? Chief of police, what does this mean to you?

Chief Diez:

this is everything I've worked for. This is everything I've worked for. This is every day, every night. Where I did the right things, I stayed in the right course. I respected everybody. This now is what I especially showing my kids where their dad ended Coming from a poor kid in Hialeah to this.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, this is incredible.

Chief Diez:

How old are your kids now? Your adults, adult kids? They're in their 20s. Awesome, showing their dad what he was capable of. And that's amazing and the police work, it's able to get a police department that's growing, make it better, make it more professional, and that other police departments around here say, wow, they've come a long way. And so this is everything in my career. This is it. This is like I've reached what I wanted to do since I was a little kid, running around that apartment building chasing my bank robber cousin.

Joey Alcala:

This is it. I've arrived. That's awesome. Awesome. We have another call. Good afternoon, you're live on God's Way Radio. Where are you calling us from?

2:

first of all, we're calling from Westchester. How are you?

Joey Alcala:

sir, I'm doing well. Thank you for calling Westchester represented. What do you want to say or ask?

2:

Okay, first of all, I'd like to say that in the last few months and over the time that the chief has taken over and the assistant chief has been there, we've seen a great improvement in Sweetwater as a municipality, as a small town or city, and so we as citizens are very grateful for the improvements that have been made in our area because, even though I live in Westchester, I participate a lot in things that happen and in the businesses of Sweetwater.

2:

So I just want to appreciate their efforts in that. And then, before I ask a question, I also want to give a shout out to their moms and their parents and their wives. They have kids, because I know that them being officers is not a one man show. It takes a whole troop behind the badge for that to happen. And so, finally, my question is is there anything that we as citizens can do to make their jobs either more effective or helpful in any way? Besides the backing of a family? I know it also takes a community, so I just wanted to ask, as citizens, what we can do.

Joey Alcala:

Thank you so much for your call, your encouragement. Chief, Assistant Chief. Anything you'd like to share directly with this sister here while she's on the line?

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

Well, yes, Thank you for calling in and thank you for the accolades. We appreciate it very much. We are totally committed to the city of Sweetwater and its residents. What you can do to help us is stay engaged, keep doing what you're doing. That's exactly what we need. We need feedback and when you see something either good or bad we need to know, because the only way we can fix something is if we know about it right. So we appreciate you telling us that we're doing a good job. But stay engaged. Come out and visit the station one of these days. Stay engaged in your civic duties, vote, you know, represent your vote out there when the time comes. And you know, like I said, just stay engaged and keep calling, and if you see something that needs improvement, you have a seat at the table. And you know we're an inclusive leadership team and we love to hear from our community. So thank you for that.

Joey Alcala:

Thank you, sir, chief.

Chief Diez:

Well, first of all, I know the area of Westchester very well. Quite a few family members there, and I appreciate the lady that called in. That is exactly why I want to be chief. Those phone calls. You know we say community policing, community policing, but I'm really, really putting that into my officers' thoughts. Get out of the car, walk the streets, say hello. When you see kids at school during school time, get out of the car, walk to them. If you respond to a call where there's a victim of a burglar or something you got to remember, this is, this is some traumatic moment yes so that's what I I keep telling my officers spend maybe a little more time with those victims.

Chief Diez:

Um, we're going to be a transparent and that's I know that's a word that everybody loves to use yeah yeah, but it's true, um, I always uh tell uh citizens on the street when I start talking to them, um, ask me anything and uh I really appreciate that phone call and that's exactly what I'm I'm looking for into the police department, community policing, where she can see a difference yeah and it's going to continue to improve I'm not nowhere near yeah, you know, I love the way she she phrased it.

Joey Alcala:

She didn't say, because I thought she was gonna say make your job easier. Notice, she didn't say that, she said more effective.

Chief Diez:

So that was pretty cool see something, what is it say? See something, say something yeah see something say something awesome.

Joey Alcala:

Well, thank you again if you're still on the line.

Intro:

Thank you, thank you god bless you, welcome and on behalf of all the chaplain families.

2:

We appreciate you guys.

Joey Alcala:

Thanks, bye-bye thank you so much. Thank you well, if you can believe, I told you we'll go fast. We have about 15 minutes left in our time together. If you're listening, if you just tuned in, while you tuned in at the right time. It's always the right time at god's way radio, but it's a special time. It's the first Tuesday of the month. That means it's Ask a Cop. We had a guest here in the morning and now I have the privilege of sitting with Chief Diaz and Assistant Chief Fernandez of the Sweetwater Police Department, the up-and-coming, continuing to grow and improve Sweetwater Police Department and City of Sweetwater. We're so excited for all that's going on. So if you want to call or text, now is the time to do so before the time runs out. The phone number is 786-313-3115. And, as always, if you're listening to this on the podcast or at a later date, you can still reach out to us and we will get to you accordingly, adrian.

Adrian Caballero:

Well, I just wanted to give that opportunity because I know there's new things. You mentioned one already, which was bike patrol. It was the first time bike patrol was out. You had it brought it back and you know, as a small department relatively small, for some places it's large, you know, but 70 or so you might think, and I've heard this from you, chief Frank Fernandez where you know you can get very comfortable and be like, well, but we're doing enough, you know.

Adrian Caballero:

Or so what would you say to, maybe again, the citizen that's listening and saying like, but you know it's going to be the same old Sweetwater, or to a department that's like we only are 40, 50, 60, 70, 100. You know, like, man, there's only so much we could do. What kind of like? You know, it's almost like inspiration, because you got to. It has to come from somewhere, because if not, you're just like, yeah, that's true, we're good, everything is OK, but what keeps you motivated? To the citizen to know they're going to do more, they're going to keep improving, and to the officers to know, hey, we're coming up and we really want to improve.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

That is a great question and I'm glad you asked. Not only are we going to improve, but we're doing it very fast. We came here three months ago approximately and we took a deep dive. What are the needs of this community? What gaps are there that need to be filled? And right off the top of our heads we can see that the patrol section can be augmented. There's other areas.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

For example, if you look on the western part of Sweetwater that the chief was talking about earlier, west of the turnpike there's numerous bodies of water back there large bodies of water that we are looking to put together a dive team to be able to investigate in those waters, see what obstacles are down there, the environmental concerns in those bodies of water. That's one of the areas that we want to improve, but we really want to focus on our preparedness when it comes to operational readiness, and what I'm talking about is exactly those dormitories, dolphin Mall, which present a very real challenge. We talk about incidents involving incidents of violence.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

That we may need to deal with. So we will be looking very hard very soon at putting together a more tactically capable police department. That means be able to respond to ongoing scenarios of, an example, active shooters or any other violence that occurs within the city of Sweetwater or its neighboring agencies. So our tactical readiness will be augmented in the very near future. Our police dive team and also in our traffic enforcement unit, we're looking to expand in those areas. So, yes, we take a look at the calls for service, we take a look at the needs of the community what is happening out there, when is it happening? And we are shifting to address those concerns and those gaps. We have implemented what we call computer statistical meetings where we actually bring in our leadership teams and we hold them accountable for their response to the ongoing trends and patterns in our city, whether either crime or traffic. So we are trying to and we will be modernizing the police department, moving forward, and I think the chief and I have a very shared vision when it comes to that.

Joey Alcala:

That's awesome, chief. Anything to add?

Chief Diez:

that sounds pretty thorough, yeah well there's one more thing that, uh, I haven't mentioned. We just opened up a substation. Oh wow, yeah, there's a substation at the dolphin mall amazing that makes a lot of sense.

Chief Diez:

that makes a lot of sense. So I, I, uh, I moved my um, my investigators over there, so it helps that we have more room. The Dolphin Mall has been very gracious with us and we have a huge office there. It's right in the center, towards the Bass Sports area back there. So, yeah, we opened a Amazing yeah, and some of the other things that we we want to do is the, the cameras. Okay, so we're going to start, uh, implementing that soon. I have long conversations with the mayor. Traffic cameras, specifically, or cameras.

Chief Diez:

No, it's just to monitor so we could see.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, there's an incident, an you have to An incident or capture or anything like that.

Chief Diez:

And the other thing I just started too, is a neighborhood resource officer.

Joey Alcala:

Awesome.

Chief Diez:

So there's an officer that's going around to different businesses. He introduces himself, lets them know what services we provide, and he's going to start doing that with schools, the elderly residents and so on and so on.

Joey Alcala:

That is awesome and there's so much I want to ask about. But I want to get to this text first, because somebody took the time to text us. Okay, it's funny, they actually texted the wrong number. They texted myself directly, so it didn't get to the studio. But that's okay. I know they're listening at least, and Adrian, he can see it as well. It's a group text we're on, but here's the point. Here's what they said. So many good cops choose to stay low in the ranks. Perhaps the idea that there is little to no difference that he or she would make were a promotion to happen. What would you say to an officer, or really any public or community servant who is good at their job and has the opportunity to be in leadership, but is not interested in the additional responsibility? That's an awesome question, let me tell you Go ahead, frank.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

I didn't take a sergeant's exam until I was 13 years on the job Wow. Being a police officer is a leadership position. I hate to tell you, but everyone that wears a uniform and a badge is a community leader. That's the person that someone turns to when they're in trouble. So I know a lot of police officers are very happy doing what they do. You get the most engagement in our community as a police officer.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

The higher you go up in the rank, the least you're actually engaged out there and for some people, being out there moving around answering calls, actually dealing, solving problems, saving lives that's what drives them and that's a perfectly perfect world for them. So, regardless of what you choose, what path you want to take, being a police officer is great because you are a leader. You are a community leader. So it's just a matter of choice. It's just a matter of what works for you and your family.

Chief Diez:

And, by the way, me and Frank will be doing stuff at the office and we'll say come on, let's go. We jump in the car and we go on patrol.

Joey Alcala:

Great, you know. I mean just want to point something out that you said Assistant Chief For any officer listening. That's big, that you are a leader. You know. You think, oh, I'm just answering calls for service or I'm just this, or I'm just that. That you're a leader. You may not feel like or quote unquote look like a leader. You don't have stripes, you don't have brass, but to the civilian, you're a leader, you're a community leader, amazing. Thank you, sir, a leader. You don't have stripes, you don't have brass. But to the civilian, you're a leader, you're a community leader, amazing. Thank you, sir. Uh chief, excuse me, chief, uh diaz, again, specifically, I, I really love the emphasis of their question, whether you're a teacher or police officer, whatever you, you know I don't want to do that, it's a headache. I don't want to get promoted. It's not worth it.

Chief Diez:

The pay raise isn't. I went through that. You know what tell us about it. I went through that. You know what Tell us about it. I went through that. It's like Frank says you're comfortable, you get comfortable. The same day's off you start saying, wow, this is not bad here and everything. But like any job, it's not just a police officer, you can be working anywhere. You got to always be looking forward and reinventing yourself, seeing what else can I do in this job, and keep that momentum. I'm one of those guys that throughout my career, I couldn't stay put for two or three years in a unit.

Chief Diez:

I kept changing around because I always wanted to see what the whole entire department brought, what the whole entire department had to offer. And it's not just police work, it's corporations, it's businesses anywhere, schools. You've got to always be looking to enhance yourself.

Joey Alcala:

And I have a feeling that the two of you may share this trait. I'm listening, I'm listening, I'm connecting with the question. It was that work ethic. Right, as you said, chief Diaz, you were a sergeant when you were really flown through the ranks to XO, to executive officer.

Joey Alcala:

It was a big jump and it must have been your work ethic, your grit, your hustle, you know. And Assistant Chief Hernandez, I'm sure that had to do with you know you said you got to major in the city of Miami. I'm sure that had to do. Do we want this major to be an assistant chief? I'm sure it had to do with that work ethic. You know, If you had a work ethic that said, nah, I don't want all that on my plate, I don't want to do the paperwork, I don't think you would have two stars today.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

Absolutely, you know, and hard work is noticed. It's just like not working hard enough is also noticed. But absolutely and let me just backtrack just a couple seconds Leadership is a calling and you have to feel it in order to achieve it right. So it's not for everyone. You know how they say that it's lonely at the top. That is the truth. It gets lonely at the top. We have to make a lot of the tough decisions. We have to make the right decisions, but as long as we make the right decision at the right time for the right reasons, we will always be in the right place. Like I said, it's, it's a calling. It's not, it's not for everyone awesome, just great insight.

Joey Alcala:

We have somebody on the line. Interesting caller id city of sweetwater. Who do we have on the line here?

Assistant Chief Noel Gil:

hey, how are you guys doing?

Joey Alcala:

it's uh, noel gill oh, sir, great to have you. I hope you heard the beginning. We were, we were shouting you out, giving you the praise, the recognition you deserve. You couldn't be here today, but your name was mentioned, and now to hear your voice is sweet, so let me let you go for it, as we're in the last few minutes here.

Assistant Chief Noel Gil:

Well, I truly appreciate it. Unfortunately, I've been trying to catch the program on and off, but, as always, I called for more than anything. On a comment, I just wanted to let you guys know what a great privilege it is to work with these two fine professionals that I've been honored to work with. I learn every day from them and it's been an incredible experience. I know that the city of Sweetwater not only the police department but its citizens are in a much better place with these professionals to lead this fine department and again just honored to be part of this great team that I'm with today. So just wanted to make that mention. I don't want to steal any of their thunder or any of their time, but I thought it would be important to let you guys know what a great privilege and honor it's been.

Chief Diez:

So that's Deputy Noel Gill. I wish he was here too. Hopefully soon, hopefully sooner. He will be Again, we'll be back. Awesome, again, we'll be back.

Joey Alcala:

Awesome.

Chief Diez:

Gil is a unique individual. He's a very smart man Knows his numbers. He's my numbers guy Awesome. He knows the budget well. He's in charge of training budget. He's in charge of internal affairs Great, he's the backbone. He has our property room. He has a lot of responsibility and of course, we're entering October, so he's busy with the budget.

Joey Alcala:

That's why he wasn't here today For the upcoming year.

Assistant Chief Noel Gil:

Yes, he's very busy with that, Of course. Yeah, I've been running around trying, to, you know, finalize not only last year's budget but this year's budget coming in. So again, just honored.

Joey Alcala:

Yeah, again, I mean just to connect the dots, sir. You're trying to make sure that all these initiatives, these ideas, these needs that have been talked about, the vision, the dreams, the actionable plans they got to get funded, they got to get organized, and we're so thankful for your work. Assistant Chief Fernandez, anything you want to say while Assistant Chief Gill is on the line.

Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez:

I know we have two minutes, but I just wanted to say that it's a great privilege to work alongside Chief Gill. He is a complete professional, he knows what he's doing, he has a demeanor that it's just great to work with him and I've gotten to know him and love him. It's just great to work with him and I've gotten to know him and love him, and so I wanted to thank him for his commitment to the police department and to each other here. It's great to have you part of the team, sir. Thank you.

Assistant Chief Noel Gil:

Thank you guys and to all the chaplains. God bless you for the fine, outstanding work that you do, but I am going to let you go because you guys have about another two minutes and I don't want to steal any more time from these fine gentlemen. So again, god bless you all and thank you for doing this.

Joey Alcala:

Yes, sir, thank you.

Chief Diez:

Chief. So I have one last thing I wanted to say before we finish the show. So when I came into the Sweetwater Police Department, like the first week, I had to start the accreditation, the reaccreditation. So we passed our accreditation and then we're, we have time.

Joey Alcala:

Yes, sir.

Chief Diez:

So we're happily to say that we're accredited again. Nice, we just passed the accreditation.

Joey Alcala:

Wonderful.

Chief Diez:

We'll be accepting the certificate of accreditation in October. It's a big thing for a department to have their accreditation. It shows how professional they are and I'd like to say thank you for those involved.

Joey Alcala:

Again, I hope I may say this is something that began in the previous administration and it's again what we've said. You're building upon what's there and you're getting better and better and better. So that is awesome to see the continuing and the building Chief, assistant Chief. It's been a wonderful time. I told you guys it would go quickly, but, sirs, thank you, thank you so much. I'm sure we will be having you again soon, thank you, thank you. Thank you so much. I'm sure we will be having you again soon. Thank you, thank you. Adrian's gonna close us out here and God's Way, Radio family. God bless you. Catch us next time thanks for listening today.

Intro:

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