Last night we heard the following cases of police misconduct at the monthly public CIP meeting held at The City of Miami City Hall. It amazes me how shocked people are when they come and see for themselves some of the issues we face at these meetings. PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETINGS AND VOICE YOUR CONCERNS.
Claimant alleges that officer grabbed him by his shirt collar thus choking him, shoved him against a police vehicle, and said, "If you ever put your fucking hands on me again, I will put you in the dirt and I'm going to kill you. The claimant was transported to a nearby gas station where he was released. Claimant also alleges the officer did not return his driver's license. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to contact the officer. Issues before the panel are whether the officer was improperly working off-duty; should the officer have written a report of the incident; and was the officer discourteous as to missing property.
As the claimant and her 15-year old daughter were leaving a local business with construction occurring on the street, she backed out of her spot and an officer walked close to her car, and screamed at her, “You’re eating fucking shit lady.” Claimant’s daughter said “excuse me” and the officer, who was red faced, angry, and spitting while he spoke, yelled, “That’s because she’s fucking eating shit.” The teenager asked for the officer’s name, and the officer told them to pull over and he would show them his name. The officer requested claimant’s driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance, but did not give her the opportunity to retrieve her insurance. After 10 to 15 minutes, the officer returned and issued two citations and told her she was this close to being arrested. Claimant left crying and intimidated by the officer. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to contact the officer. Issues before the panel are discourtesy and improper procedure. The complaint committee believe that the officer would not benefit from additional training but voted to recommend that he be reevaluated for fitness for duty.
Claimant alleges that two police vehicles came speeding out of a gas station, forcing her to take evasive action into the oncoming traffic lanes to avoid a crash with the police car. As the claimant took evasive actions, the officer stopped and activated his emergency lights. Claimant also alleges that the officer approached her and stated, "You didn't see my fucking lights. Give me your fucking driver’s license and registration." He then refused to accept electronic proof of insurance. The officer issued three citations. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to contact Officer. Issues before the panel tonight are improper procedure for activating lights with no emergency, improper procedure for not accepting electronic proof of insurance per State Statute, and discourtesy.
Claimant stated an officer pushed his face, then grabbed him by both shoulders and pushed him back against the rear seat of the police vehicle. He also alleged that the second officer was in the front passenger seat and never exited the vehicle. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to contact Officer. Issues before the panel tonight are abusive treatment, and improper procedure for not activating body worn camera.
Claimant alleges that he called the police to his home and requested a report in reference to a child custody dispute with his ex-wife. When he received the copy of the incident report, he was not satisfied with how the officer wrote the report, which described him as "resentful" and "displayed an attitude." Dept. Order indicates reports must contain facts only and no opinions. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to contact Officer. Issue before the panel is improper procedure for completing a report.
Officer allowed two burglary offenders into a building where they committed burglary. Attempts were made unsuccessfully to contact Officer. Issue before the panel tonight is improper procedure.
Claimant alleges the police were called in reference to a landlord/tenant dispute. The officer responded to the scene and held her against her will, harassed her and favored the tenants because they are Black. The officer began to ask her personal questions regarding her health and private questions not related to the incident. Staff recommends the questioning was routine and that there was no bias-based profiling. The complaints committee agrees.
Claimant alleges that and officer slammed her driver's license on the roof of her car, causing her to exit her vehicle and retrieve her license from the roof of her vehicle. CIP Staff recommends the allegation of Discourtesy be closed as not sustained because there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation. Complaints committee agrees.
The remaining complaints will likely be closed as "No Finding" because the complainant is unavailable to clarify the complaint.
