Officer Jonathan Abbate

As a Patrol Officer in Daytona Beach, FL, I worked hard to serve the community and support my fellow officers in daily operations. Through dedication and teamwork, I gained hands-on experience and developed the foundational skills essential to law enforcement. This role taught me the importance of communication, situational awareness, and working under pressure while reinforcing my commitment to public safety and service.

The Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) was a specialized unit formed to address the city's uptick in gun violence and dangerous crime. This initiative focused on apprehending wanted subjects and persons of interest, employing targeted strategies to dismantle criminal networks and fighting crime trends. This role gave me experience in tactical situation, surveillance and investigations, Inter and outer agency coordination, and many more valuable skills.

I was assigned to a specialized Crime Suppression Team (CST) focused on combating street-level drug activity. Our unit conducted targeted operations, including buy-walks and buy-busts, to disrupt the local drug trade and gather actionable intelligence. We also executed large-scale warrant roundups to apprehend drug offenders and reduce criminal activity in high-risk areas. This assignment sharpened my investigative skills and reinforced the importance of proactive, community-focused policing.

As a Task Force Officer assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Heroin Enforcement Group—the first of its kind in Central Florida—I was responsible for investigating overdose deaths across the region, with a primary focus on all fatal overdoses in Daytona Beach. Our mission was to identify and prosecute those responsible for distributing deadly Fentanyl, which caused hundreds of deaths of citizens in Central Florida. I also played a key role in upper-level cocaine trafficking and money laundering cases, working closely with federal partners across the United states and surrounding countries to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and proceeds. During this time i was able to learn communication skills from contacting informants, defendants, and outside agencies. I was able to build strong relationships with outside agencies across the United States.

While assigned to the DEA Heroin Enforcement Group, I also served as a Detective in the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), where I played a key role in shaping the department's reporting practices for Heroin and Fentanyl overdoses. My efforts led to more accurate tracking and documentation of overdose incidents, which were reported to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. In this role, I conducted and assisted with complex investigations involving narcotics, human trafficking, and illegal gambling operations. I gained valuable experience in investigative techniques and asset seizure procedures, further strengthening my capabilities as a specialized investigator.

After eight years on specialized units and honing my skills as a detective, I returned to patrol with a renewed perspective and a deeper understanding of investigative work. I now apply my detective experience to everyday patrol duties, allowing me to approach calls with greater insight and effectiveness. I remain open to learning and taking on new challenges, while also guiding and mentoring fellow officers by sharing knowledge and techniques developed during my time in investigations. This transition has allowed me to bring added value to the patrol division and continue contributing to the department’s overall success.