By Chief Fred Maas

November 12, 2009, was an exciting night for an entire class of police recruits at the Broward County, Institute of Public Safety.  It was GRADUATION night!  And for one particular recruit, it was even more Rewarding.  Officer Alan Saladrigas, newest police officer for “YOUR” Sunny Isles Beach Police Department received the Medal of Honor Award as well as the #1 ranking in his class in the physical fitness award.  The Medal of Honor is the highest and most impressive award given as it is determined by the Public Safety Director, the Instructors, Class Advisors and his own classmates.  He was selected for his leadership qualities and his unselfish giving and positive attitude in helping classmates throughout the training period.

Alan is a graduate of Archbishop McCarthy High School in Broward County.  He is an extremely intelligent student and went on to pursue his law degree after college.  He has already completed his first year of law school.  He also is an outstanding athlete and played on the Varsity Baseball Team for McCarthy High School.  It is no wonder he achieved a perfect score of 100% for physical fitness while in the Police Academy and helped others in the class to achieve their mark, who were struggling.

Alan comes from a family background of law enforcement.  His father Bill is a highly respected supervisor for the Miami Dade Police Department who has an extensive career working in Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs as well as Marine Patrol.  Alan’s mom is a school teacher in Broward County and his sister is a star athlete herself at Nova Southeastern University.

Rarely, have we heard such praise from the Academy Directors over a recruit.  Yet, this is now the 2nd class in a row, where Sunny Isles Beach Police Department officers, “your officers,” have distinguished themselves by wining specific achievement awards.  It is our continued pledge to you to seek out and recruit the absolute best to serve this city.

Once Alan has completed his training program here in the city and has established a firm foundation in his police career, he intends to return to complete his law school studies part time in order to obtain his law degree.  He will be a huge asset to this City and the community for many years to come.  We feel very fortunate to have Officer Saladrigas as part of our agency and police family.  WELCOME!! Officer Alan Saladrigas.