The North Miami Police Department’s “Officer of the Month" for August is Detective James Mesidor who is currently assigned to the Investigative Section, Strike Force Team. Sgt. Peter Cruz nominated him after recognizing his insight, deligence and dedication to duty in the following case:

On August 19, 2009, the Strike Team, of which Detective Mesidor is a member , was conducting a crime sweep along NE 6 Avenue. The intent of this "Zero Tolerance" sweep was to address all criminal activities in the apartment complexes along that corridor. During this particular crime fighting initiative, Detective Mesidor, along with other members of the Strike Team, conducted a "jump-out" on suspected drug dealers at NE 6 Avenue and NE 145 Street. The subjects tried to flee, but the web of detectives prevented their escape. The take down resulted in the arrest of several subjects for narcotics and firearm charges.

Not stopping at the arrest, Detective Mesidor interviewed the subjects to gain knowledge about any other criminal activities in the area. He was able to build rapport with the subjects and obtained critical information about an armed robbery and shooting of a local businessman and his wife that had recently occurred at NE 16 Avenue/NE 123 Street. Detective Mesidor immediately acted on the information, verifying and gathering more intelligence. This led directly to the identification of the shooting subject who was taken into custody after investigators surrounded his location. The firearm, believed to be used in that crime, was also located.

After the arrest, Detective Mesidor, who had obtained a search warrant the day before, participated in the execution of that warrant along with the SWAT Team, which resulted in the arrest of multiple subjects involved in the sale of cocaine.

Detective Mesidor was selected as Officer of the Month for August 2009 and will be honored at the Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at Noon.

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - JUNE 2009 - ALANZO RHYMER

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JULY 2009 - JEANITE AND BRYANT

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - SEPTEMBER 2009 - JODLYN ANTOINE

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - OCTOBER 2009 - DUHAMEL JEANITE

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - NOVEMBER 2009 - OFFICER DONALD BLANCHARD AND DETECTIVE MICHAEL GAUDIO

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JANUARY 2010 - OFFICERS JAMES STUART AND WILLE WALDEN

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - FEBRUARY 2010 - STEVEN UNMUTH

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - MARCH 2010 - RANSOM CARTER

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - APRIL 2010 - "GUIDO" ANDOLLO AND JEAN SOSA

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - MAY 2010 - NELSON PEREZ

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JUNE 2010 -JUAN MAYATO AND DAVID ROSEN

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - JULY 2010 - DETECTIVE FELIX GUADARRAMA