The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) honored the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department for “outstanding performance” and recognized the city commission for supporting its police force. 

The award presented to the Sunny Isles City Commission at the PBA annual gala in Miami Beach was a token of appreciation for improving working conditions, offering incentives and providing officers with the necessary equipment such as take home vehicles, said Police Chief Fred Mass.

The city of Sunny Isles Beach was selected from a pool of 32 cities. Each one of the city commission members was presented with an individual plaque by PBA President John Rivera at the ball, which honors outstanding officers nationwide. More than 1,000 members of the Police Benevolent Organization attended the event held on May 10, 2003 at the Wyndham Hotel in Miami Beach.

“The city was very fortunate to remain the top city for the past year with the PBA,” said Vice Mayor Norman Edelcup. “That is indirectly a tribute to our chief [Fred Maas] for the terrific job that he has done with the police department.”

Vice Mayor Edelcup also said that the police department works closely with the city commission, which allows both entities to function more effectively.

“The police department in this city is a welcome division. They are part of the family,” said Edelcup.

One of the benefits of having an open door policy towards the police force is that police officers are able to establish a close relationship not only with city officials, but also with residents, said Edelcup.

“They are friends of the community. People wave at them and some know a lot of the officers by their first name,” said the vice mayor.

Police Chief Fred Maas, who nominated the city commission for the award, said that it was a token of appreciation for their support.

“I was proud to see them in front of legislators, government officials, and fellow municipal bodies, receiving such a prestigious award,” Maas said.

Since the city was incorporated in 1997, the Sunny Isles Police department has received a myriad of awards of recognitions.

On February 6, 2003, Sergeant John Wyche accepted an award from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) Local Chapter for his efforts to rid the city of vehicle operators who drive under the influence.

On September 11, 2002 at the Ninth Annual Top Cops Award Ceremony in New York City, the National Association of Police Organizations honored detective Michael Mulvey with the Cop of the Year Award for saving four children and their father from drowning in the ocean.