Associated Press
MIAMI - City officials approved an independent civilian board to investigate complaints of police misconduct that will be able to subpoena officers.
The 13-member Civilian Investigative Panel, which fulfills a city referendum passed in November, is the first panel for public review of police in the state and one of only five in the nation with subpoena power.
“We’re making history in Miami and the state of Florida,” said Miami Commissioner Arthur Teele Jr.
In the last month, police in Miami-Dade County fatally shot four people. In September, 13 Miami police were charged with planting guns or manipulating evidence at crime scenes where civilians were shot.
Miami commissioners approved the panel on a 4-0 vote on Thursday. Commissioner Joe Sanchez, a former police officers who expressed concern about the panel’s scope of powers, was absent. An aide said he was ill.
The panel will take anonymous complaints, subpoena police officers and proceed with an investigation.
Police advocates unsuccessfully fought to let the police chief veto investigations by the panel. They also warned that subpoena powers could have the unwanted consequence of granting immunity to rogue officers.
“We understand the community really wants this, but they’re pushing this through without negotiating,” said Jose Arrojo, a lawyer for the Fraternal Order of Police.
The panel’s backers said the public investigation board could save the city money. In the last five years, Miami has spent nearly $5 million to settle suits against officers.