Detective (Retired) Andrew Raphael

Det. Andrew Raphael (Retired) is a career law enforcement officer with 30+ years in public service. Det. Raphael’s assignments included S.W.A.T. team leader and training coordinator for 15 years, during which time he conducted training for local, state, and federal tactical teams. He was a dual-purpose K-9 handler where he received national recognition by the Dogs Against Drugs/ Dogs Against Crime organization for his work in narcotics detection. He has been assigned to and detached to the following task force groups: Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement Casino Gaming task force, South Broward Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Broward County Multi-Agency Gang task force. Det. Raphael has received numerous awards and commendations over his career.

Det. Raphael has served as the Police Unity Tour’s Chapter VIII President, the Immediate Past President, and currently is a Board of Directors Trustee and Survivor Liaison Coordinator. The Police Unity Tour is a national nonprofit organization that raises awareness and money in support of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial located in Washington, D.C. Det. Raphael has also served as an Ambassador to the NLEOM and is additionally a committee member of the Police Unity Tour’s Medal of Valor committee.

Det. Raphael pivoted late in his career and began focusing all of his efforts into community outreach. trying to bridge the gap between kids, teens, and law enforcement, realizing there was a need to be filled after watching the revolving doors of the criminal justice system. Feeling that if you could reach these specific age groups early in a non-traditional manner, then you could help guide them toward a path of success. Det. Raphael was assigned to the Community Policing Unit in an agency he had only been with for a few months. He immediately began implementing creative programs and fundraisers to support these programs. Cookies and Milk with a Cop, which was geared toward kids through 4th grade. His belief was this program could serve a dual purpose. Besides interacting with the kids. there was a specific group of adults, parents who did not have time to attend community programs for themselves but would for with their children. This provided a unique opportunity to interact with both groups while not letting on that he in fact was doing so. Det. Raphael also coordinated numerous very successful fundraiser events such as the Pedal for PAL bike rides and the 5K Donut Dash, all while building and fostering relationships with all members of the community, including partnering with many businesses. Det. Raphael along with his partner were honored at the central Florida L.E.O. awards for outstanding community service programs.

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