EXCELLENCE PROJECT: North Miami Police Chief Cherise G. Gause with 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project founder Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, flanked by Miami Heat legends Glen Rice and Alonzo Mourning, as law officers joined youths wearing their signature red ties in celebrating decades-long collaboration. PHOTOS COURTESY OF 5000 ROLE MODELS

Miami – The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project held its Police and Youth Conference on Tuesday with the Miami Heat and Dedication 2 Community at Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat.

The annual Police and Youth Conference was held for schools throughout the South and Central Regions of the Miami-Dade County and Broward County Public Schools.

Law enforcement officers from municipal districts such as the Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office, North Miami, City of Miami, Broward Sheriff’s Office and more were in attendance.

“Year after year, this event has become a catalyst for dialogue, allowing our youth to exchange their thoughts, fears, visions, and concerns with law enforcement,” said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project.

“And let’s be frank: On the news, we still see all too often cases of deadly encounters between police and our youth, and some of you may even have personal examples. But events like these play a pivotal role in reducing the number of deadly encounters between police and our youth.”

Wilson noted that the conference started after a Coral Gables Police officer mistakenly shot one of the Role Models’ boys, leading the then school principal to work to build trust between the law enforcement and children.

Miami Heat legends Alonzo Mourning and Glen Rice led an interactive panel discussion with local police chiefs and Role Model students. Conferences like this, Mourning said, “can have a positive influence on future police and youth interactions.”

Also in attendance were former Role Model now Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission Kionne McGhee, County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

“Education and familiarity is key to improving police and youth relations,” said Role Model Semaj Gilliard of Coral Reef Senior High School. “More police programs should be available for police and youth to interact more.”

Law enforcement officials from Miami-Dade and Broward spoke to the students about how to handle interactions with police officers. They also led an interactive demonstration of getting pulled over while driving, walking the boys through real-life scenarios on the best ways to engage with law officers. Included was a 5000 Role Models pamphlet that includes the steps on what to do when interacting with the police.

“These conferences are super important and create impactful impressions on police and youth interactions,” said North Miami Police Chief Cherise G. Gause. "I want to thank Congresswoman Frederica Wilson for continuing to pour into this community through the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project."