Fort Pierce Police Officer Michael Azevedo is Florida’s top Traffic Officer for 2014. The Fort Pierce Police Department also placed first in a statewide Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Challenge.
On Friday, July 17, 2015, Officer Azevedo and the department were honored during the 2015 Florida Law Enforcement Challenge Awards ceremony. The annual event was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando.
Officer Azevedo’s commitment to DUI, traffic enforcement and drug recognition led to the statewide distinction. In 2014, Officer Azevedo conducted over 2,000 self-initiated traffic stops, resulting in 208 DUI arrests, 21 drug evaluations, 34 drug arrests, 720 traffic citations, and 304 warnings. He also conducted 75 crash investigations, including two Traffic Homicide Investigations. His pro-active approach to traffic enforcement led to the seizure of 20 “crack” Cocaine rocks, 85.5 grams of Marijuana, 21 grams of Cocaine, .08 grams of Methamphetamine, over 300 prescription pills, 3 handguns, and over $17,000 in U.S. currency.
As a result of the Fort Pierce Police Department’s DUI enforcement in 2014, the agency received the first-place award in the category of agencies with 75 to 150 officers. The department has developed a comprehensive traffic safety program that made a significant and positive impact in our community by increasing DUI arrests, and reducing traffic related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.