Captain Dillard, Hometown Hero

It’s not just about helping; it’s also about learning the needs of the community. Having grown up in Brownsville, Captain Elise Dillard made it a personal goal to give back to her community. Working for the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) provided her opportunities to work in the same community she grew up in. Many look up to her as someone who is fair, and someone they can talk to. Community members feel comfortable talking to her and assisting with solving and preventing crime. Giving them her personal attention has led to various partnerships and relationships built on trust.

Captain Dillard works with many organizations that allow her to give back to the community, including the Progressive Officers Club, Police Officer Assistance Trust, Hispanic Police Officers Association, the Police Benevolent Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police.

Demands of the law enforcement profession can place many under stressful conditions, with few outlets and a means to cope. Captain Dillard is known to drop what she's doing to listen, give advice and provide guidance whenever needed.

As a certified instructor, she has presented at conferences to help “Bridge the Gap” between police and the community, participated in Career Day at schools, including her alma maters: Bethune Elementary, Brownsville Junior High and Miami Northwestern. To help build positive relations, she teaches, “What to Do When Stopped by the Police?” to boys in the 5000 Role Models Program. 

She volunteers her time in partnership with Judge Lody Jean to mentor female inmates who opted for the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department’s Boot Camp Program. She personally visits inmates and follows their progress throughout the program and upon their release. Her most current inmate mentee passed both portions of her GED and is preparing to enter her work release phase. Captain Dillard’s goal is to be involved and show them that she came from some of the same situations, yet she made it. She strives to show them that there are better choices to make; and moreover, that she cares about them succeeding. 

She also volunteers and mentors with the Embrace Girls Foundation, which allowed her to empower young girls by being a positive role model, educating them on various health and safety issues, and building self-esteem. She chaperones field trips and serves as a panelist during open discussions. These young ladies have received Captain Dillard very well over the years and have often reached out to her for guidance.

Her participation in local charities and events like Toy Drives, Thanksgiving meals, Back-to-School Giveaways, Annual Youth Scholarships and Community Clean-ups, give her many opportunities to interact with the community on an intimate level. By building positive relationships aimed at bridging the gap between the police, she works to improve the community.

Though Captain Dillard recently retired, her positive impact will be felt for generations. Our gratitude for her service to the community cannot be overstated.