Crime & Safety
Miami Gardens Welcomes First Female Police Chief
Delma Noel-Pratt was sworn in on Monday amid an overflow crowd as the new chief of the Miami Gardens Police Department.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Amid an overflowing crowd, Delma Noel-Pratt was sworn in on Monday as the new chief of the Miami Gardens Police Department. She becomes the first woman to hold that post. Prior to accepting the job she held multiple leadership positions in the Miami-Dade Police Department and was at one time a finalist to lead that department.
"It is my faith in God, my admiration for my fellow man and my purpose in life to give back to the community," Noel-Pratt told local residents, elected officials and a number of senior Miami area law enforcement officials, including Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez and Miami Beach Police Chief Daniel J. Oates.
"She comes with a strong will, with an accountable personality," Perez told a local television crew. "She’s going to hold the office accountable and she’s going to bring a philosophy of teamwork."
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He told another news crew that Noel-Pratt has a mindset to work with the community and engage residents. "It's going to be an outstanding match up for them," he said.
With more than 113,000 residents, Miami Gardens is the third most populous city in Miami-Dade County behind only Miami and Hialeah.
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City police have historically battled higher than average crime rates in Miami Gardens. Noel-Pratt said she plans to talk to community members throughout the city to get a better feel for the specific policing needs in each area of Miami Gardens.
A number of Miami area law enforcement agencies took to social media to welcome the new chief. Here is a sampling of the posts:
Congratulations to the new @MGPDFL Police Chief, Delma Noel Pratt! pic.twitter.com/d0oWh81w1A
— C. Gause (@LittleHaitiCmdr) May 1, 2017
Congratulations Chief Noel-Pratt #MGPDChief https://t.co/kEFxdk4S1d
— FIUPolice (@FIUPOLICE) May 1, 2017
Congrats to @MGPDFL Chief Delma Noel-Pratt. Great message/vision to the @MiamiGardensFL residents and PD during swearing in speech. #leader
— Juan Perez (@JPerezinMia) May 1, 2017
Congratulations @MGPDFL Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt! Well-deserved indeed! We look forward to continuing to work with you & your members. https://t.co/RxtdIOcFxW
— Kathy Rundle (@KathyFndzRundle) May 1, 2017
On behalf of Chief Flournoy & HBPD.Congratulations to Chief Noel-Pratt being sworn in as @MGPDFL Chief of Police. Wishing you great success pic.twitter.com/c0kUc9ntJf
— Hallandale Beach PD (@HallandaleBchPD) May 1, 2017
Congratulations to Chief Noel-Pratt. As stated in her remarks @ today's ceremony, MDSPD & MGPD will work very closely. Chief Ian A Moffett pic.twitter.com/DA5mmgp7cp
— Miami-Dade SchoolsPD (@MiamiSchoolsPD) May 1, 2017
#MDPD Assistant Director Stephanie Daniels congratulates newly promoted @MGPDFL Chief Delma Noel-Pratt at her swearing in ceremony pic.twitter.com/MJjhHmiwAb
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) May 1, 2017
Proud to attend swearing in of Miami Gardens new police chief, Delma Noel-Pratt, this morning. MGPD is in good hands. All the best, Chief! https://t.co/q7mrhXUbPI
— Daniel J. Oates (@MBPDChiefOates) May 1, 2017
Photo courtesy city of Miami Gardens
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