Police Chief James Hofer with his department’s award. {Coconut Creek PD}
The Coconut Creek Police Department has earned statewide recognition for its innovative Friend Responders Initiative, receiving the prestigious Rocky Pomerance Law Enforcement Excellence Award in the Large Agency Category at last week’s Florida Police Chiefs Association annual conference.
Police Chief James Hofer accepted the award on behalf of the department. The Rocky Pomerance Law Enforcement Excellence Award recognizes member agencies that develop and implement innovative community programs that strengthen public safety and community engagement.
The Friend Responders Initiative was created to improve communication between first responders and individuals on the autism spectrum while providing valuable real-world social interaction opportunities.
The program partners with Atlantic Technical College’s Transition Into Employment, or TIE, program, and the Foundation for Independent Living. Participants meet one-on-one with Coconut Creek police officers and firefighters in a relaxed setting where they practice starting conversations with strangers — a skill that can help with everyday activities such as shopping, ordering food and interviewing for jobs.
At the same time, police officers and firefighters gain experience communicating more effectively with individuals on the autism spectrum, helping them build skills they can apply during emergency calls and other community interactions.
The initiative was spearheaded by Lt. Delvecchio after Autism Ambassador Juliana Carranza-Escober learned about a similar program operating in New York and shared the concept with the department.
The recognition marks the second time the Coconut Creek Police Department has received the Rocky Pomerance Law Enforcement Excellence Award.
In 2021, the department earned the honor for its School Safety Dog program, recognizing K-9 Taylor and handler Officer Leonard for their innovative firearms detection training. K-9 Taylor was specially trained to detect firearms, providing an additional layer of safety in schools and other public spaces.
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