Miami-Dade County's Department of Human Services (DHS) Disability Services and Independent (DSAIL) Program allows for volunteer parking specialist to assist the Miami-Dade Police Department in the enforcement of disabled parking spaces and baby stroller spaces.

• Program Description
• Philosophy / Mission
• Eligibility Requirements

Program Description
This program coordinates the recruitment and training of volunteers from the community to enforce and uphold the disabled parking laws of Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida and involves the following:

• Volunteers that pass eligibility requirements are scheduled to attend a twenty (20) hour certification course.
• Once they graduate and are certified as Parking Enforcement Specialists they are assigned to a police station where they patrol areas of unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
• Parking Enforcement Specialists are given the authority to issue citations to persons illegally parked in spaces reserved for individuals with disabled parking or baby stroller permits, and access aisles to disabled parking spaces.
• Occasionally Specialists will be summoned to appear in court for disputed citations.
• On a monthly basis, the Specialists, Program Coordinator and assistant, meet at the individual police stations with the police representatives and discuss any concerns and problems that relate to the program.
   

Philosophy / Mission
It is the goal of the Parking Enforcement Program to make a significant contribution to the disabled community in the form of law enforcement. The Parking Enforcement Program enforces the disabled parking laws of the community and educates the public on the consequences of disobeying these laws. 

Our Parking Enforcement Specialists assist the Miami-Dade County Police Department by citing individuals that abuse and disregard laws that were designed to ease and accommodate individuals with disabilities. In addition, our Parking Enforcement Specialists service the community by educating the public on the necessity for enforcing laws that eradicate certain physical barriers faced by the disabled community and the penalties associated with refusing to comply with disabled parking laws.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must successfully pass a criminal history background check.
• Must be able to participate an average of 20 hours a month.
• Must be capable, by one's self or with reasonable accommodation, of writing citations and placing them in an appropriate place.
• Must be able to provide own source of transportation to and from patrol area, police station, and DSAIL meetings.
• Must be capable of completing required reports for both DSAIL and police staff.
• Must be able to behave professionally and communicate effectively in a courtroom setting.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in the English language.
   

Individuals wishing to become a parking enforcement specialist must complete an application and be interviewed by the program coordinator.

For additional information, please contact: