The personal sacrifices made by Detective Bittar to improve the quality of life for communities throughout South Florida are immeasurable. His personnel file includes over 200 commendations, as well as letters of praise from impressed citizens to high-ranking government officials. Due to his outstanding performance of duty, Detective Bittar has received honors such as the Miami Police Department's Officer of the Month Award (six times), the Administrative Excellence Award (1992) and the Detective of the Year Award (1997). Furthermore, his expertise in the field and impeccable background have qualified him as an instructor, enabling him to represent the Miami Police Department at numerous seminars.

Detective James Bittar, 41, obtained a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from Barry University in 1991. A dedicated husband and son, he identifies greatly with these important roles in life and understands the responsibilities associated with them. On more than one occasion, he has exhibited concern and compassion for his fellow officers by donating over 100 hours of sick time to those stricken by illness.

Detective James Bittar was assigned in 1994 to the South Florida Impact Task Force (SFI), a multi-agency project that focuses on major narcotics and money laundering investigations at the local, state, and federal levels. During his five-year participation with the Task Force, he played a leadership role in a year-long narcotics investigation involving large loads of cocaine being shipped out of Colombia (October 1998-June 1999). His expert investigative work and countless surveillance hours led to the identification and interdiction of an international drug transportation ring that utilized large vessels. These ships were responsible for transporting eight (8) tons of cocaine through international waters and importing them into the United States and Europe.

The first seizure of 1,940 kilos of cocaine was made in October of 1998 off the coast of Spain from a freighter named "Miami Express". Eleven (11) arrests were made. The second seizure of 4,818 kilos of cocaine was carried out in March 1999 off the coast of Houston, Texas from the freighter "Canes". Subsequently, seven (7) arrests were made.

On June 1, 1999, Detective Bittar's continued investigative persistence and networking with national and international law enforcement sources led to the successful seizure of two (2) freighters carrying over 9,300 kilos of cocaine off the Venezuelan coast. These 250-foot ships, the Castor and China Breeze were traveling from Veracruz, Mexico to Nigeria, delivering sugar. A total of 34 arrests were made. Due to Detective Bittar's meticulous orchestration of the chain of events, overwhelming amount of research, and brilliant investigative work, over $1 billion in cocaine was seized between October 1998 to June 1999, one of the largest international seizures ever recorded and certainly, the largest amount confiscated by a Miami police officer in the history of the department.

During the month of May 1999, South Florida Impact's long-term squad became involved in a marijuana "grow house" organization operating two houses in Dade County. Because of Detective Bittar's extensive narcotics investigative background he was designated as the team leader. He was instrumental in developing a confidential informant who had been working for this organization since the early 1990's. Det Bittar coordinated and assisted in the hundreds of hours in stationary and mobile surveillances. The tedious mobile surveillances were required to identify subjects involved in the "grow house" organization and establish their daily routines. These surveillances were also required to identify "grow houses" being maintained by the organization. All leads developed throughout the investigation were coordinated and assigned to investigators by Detective Bittar. During the investigation, people working for this organization and 15 "grow houses" in different stages of growth were identified throughout Dade and several other counties. After several months of investigation, a crew of over 200 local, state, and federal agents were assembled for the arrests and execution of 15 warrants. Operation Green Thumb resulted in the arrests of five major players, seizing over 750 plants and $120,000.00 in US currency. This group led by Detective Bittar was responsible for the dismantling of one of the largest marijuana "grow house" organizations in the State of Florida.

Detective James Bittar has not only been instrumental in putting a major dent in narcotics trafficking in Miami but throughout the nation. He has the admiration and respect of his fellow officers and superiors who describe him as "extremely modest" and "humble", often times preferring that well deserved accolades be directed to his colleagues. Detective Bittar's leadership, professionalism, and can-do attitude are an inspiration to all.

1999 was a year of great professional achievement for Sergeant Mina. Sergeant Mina was one of three Sergeants transferred to the Department's newly formed Problem Oriented Policing ("POPS") Division. Sergeant Mina led the Parramore Heritage Bike Unit within the Division and was faced with the task of serving residents of an area that has been plagued by drugs, prostitution and a high crime rate for a number of years. The Problem Oriented Policing Division had to tackle these problems and at the same time, find ways to foster positive relations with the area's residents of which large parts were children

Sergeant Mina distinguished himself as a leader withing POPS by inspiring his officers to work as a team to achieve excellence in the performance of their duties. Sergeant Mina led by example working closely with the other two sergeants and the Lieutenant assigned to this Division Sergeant Mina and his squad were awarded a Unit Citation for cumulative operational excellence. The POPS Unit as a whole, effected 642 felony arrests, 1083 misdemeanor arrests and the seizure of 2697 grams of cocaine and cannabis. Included in these arrest statistics are 150 prostitution-related arrests made by the POPS Unit during seven prostitution operations organized and supervised by Sergeant Mina. As part of the efforts to inspire good will within the community, Sergeant Mina helped organize several community events, including "Guns for Kicks" in which 164 guns were collected in exchange for sneakers, several children's events at a local park in which over 115 boys and girls participated in fun and games with refreshments and transportation arranged for the POPS Unit.

In addition, Sergeant Mina has participated in and tasked his subordinates to participate in activities geared toward interacting with and positively affecting the area's youth, such as mentoring, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and reading programs among many others. The short-term effects of Sergeant Mina and his POPS Units performance are obvious. Police Officers enjoy a better relationship with citizens and citizens are enjoying a better quality of life as a result of the hard work of the POPD Unit.

Although the POPS Unit schedule was extremely demanding, with Sergeant Mina having to change his hours on a moment's notice to accomplish various missions, Sergeant Mina managed to serve as a team leader within the Orlando Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Sergeant Mina is known for his superior marksmanship and physical conditioning which led to his appointment as coach for the SWAT Team's annual "SWAT Round-Up" Competition. During this event, teams from outside of and around the United States came to Orlando to compete in events testing teams' skill level and physical endurance. This year the Orlando Police Department entered two teams in the SWAT Round-Up Competition. With over 70 teams competing, there is no doubt that Sergeant Mina's leadership ability and personal commitment contributed to the Orlando Police Department SWAT Team's incredible finish of #4 and #13 overall. In addition, Sergeant Mina entered the "Super SWAT Cop" competition during this year's "SWAT Round-Up" which is a grueling test of physical endurance and marksmanship under pressure. Sergeant Mina finished 7th place out of 50 competitors.

Sergeant Mina's hard work, training, dedication to policing and personal courage were put to the test on December 5th, 1999, at approximately 2226 hours. On this night in an Orlando restaurant, unbeknownst to over one hundred patrons dining and watching Sunday night football, two armed masked robbers burst through the rear doors of the business, grabbing an employee and demanding that the employee lead them to the office. The employee complied, leading the gunmen to the office, whereupon the employee was released and the gunmen turned their attention to the manager and another employee in the office. The gunmen ordered the manager to open the safe and remove all the money, while the second employee was ordered to lie face down on the office floor.

Meanwhile, the employee who was released ran to the front of the restaurant where Sergeant Mina was arriving early to work off-duty as security. Sergeant Mina was informed of the situation that was occurring and responded immediately. Sergeant Mina reported the in-progress armed robbery over his police radio as he proceeded to the back of the restaurant, taking a tactical position near the entrance to the office. Sergeant Mina positioned himself between the office and the entrance into the dining room, making himself a barrier to the gunmen in the event that gunmen intended to continue their crime spree by terrorizing the patrons in the restaurant. In doing this, Sergeant Mina ensured the protection of patrons in the dining area of the restaurant and showed tremendous presence of mind and courage. Within moments, the office door flew open and the masked gunmen exited. The gunmen failed to heed Sergeant Mina's police warnings and confronted him. Sergeant Mina shot at both suspects, hitting both. One of the gunmen, in spite of his injuries, was able to flee the scene and was assisted by a third suspect in a getaway car.

The other gunman, who was carrying over five thousand dollars taken during the robbery, died later at a local hospital as a result of gunshot wounds. Subsequent investigation revealed the identity of the other gunman and his accomplice, who were arrested weeks later. Further investigation has revealed that the armed robbers, including the deceased, were part of a group of young men that were robbing local businesses, mainly restaurants in a violent, brazen manner while armed with handguns and shotguns, and wearing masks. In some of the robberies, shots were fired and victims injured.

The risk of danger faced by Sergeant Mina that night was very real. He survived it because he is a consummate police officer, capable of extraordinary valor due to an unmatched level of personal courage. He possesses a selfless commitment to public safety and security in knowing that he has prepared himself for police work's true and sometimes final test of ability by maintaining a superior level of mental and physical fitness. In all of Sergeant Mina's police endeavors, he accomplishes the mission in an exceptional manner, setting a fine example for all who have the pleasure to know him and to work with him.