Sergeant Bert “Maverick” Gonzalez served the South Florida community for 37 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department, retiring in 2020. His career included assignments in uniform patrol, narcotics, airport and port security, and crime scene investigations. Following 9/11, he became a national leader in port security operations. A highly respected police instructor, Gonzalez has trained over 25,000 officers in areas such as crisis intervention, active shooter response, major scene management, tactical driving, and crowd control. A recipient of the Bronze Medal of Valor and two Life-Saving Awards, he has earned over 60 commendations throughout his career. Sgt. Gonzalez is the author of The Real Greatest Show on Earth and hosts Sgt. Maverick – The Podcast, where he discusses policing, politics, and life. He is a devoted husband, father of three, and proud grandfather of five. When he's not working, you’ll find him on the tennis court, riding motorcycles, or tackling home projects.