The Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police recently published an endorsement for the Turning Point Justice restorative justice program in the Miami-Dade County Market newsletter:
The Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police is committed to improving law enforcement throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes and supports the efforts of law enforcement and the community working together in a cooperative effort to enhance public safety in Miami-Dade County.
A community-wide collaboration to deliver coordinated and constructive solutions to address misdemeanor retail theft by providing immediate, consistent consequences that are proportionate to the offense is in the best interest of Miami-Dade County.
Retailers have developed an educational alternative for first time shoplifters to avoid criminal prosecution, sending a consistent message to the community that shoplifting is a crime. An innovative strategy that provides a consistent protocol for addressing shoplifting is in the best interests of law enforcement because it reduces time spent by police officers handling such calls for service, conserving police resources for more serious offenses.
As a result, the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police supports the concept of a community accountability partnership, such as Turning Point Justice, that reduces police calls regarding misdemeanor retail theft, maintains a low court documented recidivism rate, provides immediate, consistent consequences that are proportionate to the offense, reduces the cost of repeat offenses, and provides reasonable reparation to the victim.
“We are excited by the support and endorsement of the Dade Police Chiefs,” said Paul Jones, chief operating officer at Turning Point Justice. “We estimate that our program will save Dade county over $5 million in police calls and prosecutor time.”