Miami-Dade Branch
National Association For The Advancement of Colored People
Adora Obi Nweze: President

Media Contact:

Adora Obi Nweze

305-915-4701

- Miami-Dade- The need for serious Criminal Justice Reform in Miami Dade County is not a new conversation. The information revealed during last week's News cycle was just a harsh reminder of that reality. As the Miami Dade County Branch of the NAACP continues to fight for much needed changes, the Branch specifically addresses two situations that were brought to light last week.

“The Jim Defede Report”

Recently the " Jim Defede Report" revealed a system of very troubling tactics that are currently being used by the Miami Dade South District Police Department. In response, Miami Dade Branch of the NAACP will be sending a letter to Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and the Board of County Commissioners expressing their concern and recommendations. The Miami Dade NAACP Branch will also be initiating discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice, the MDC State's Attorney's Office, the MDC's Public Defender's Office, and the Miami Dade Police Department about the findings of the report. After those discussions, the NAACP will recommend the appropriate actions.

“Miami Beach Police Emails”

To say that NAACP is utterly disgusted by these revelations would be an understatement. However, the NAACP does commend State’s Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami Beach Police Chief Dan Oates, and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine for their timely response to this most horrible situation. The Miami Dade Branch of the NAACP is willing and committed to work with these community leaders to begin to write a new chapter in the history of the Miami Beach as their Police Department institutes much needed Police Reforms.

President

Adora Obi Nweze 
Miami Dade County Branch NAACP

The Honorable Mr. Jean Monestine Chair
Miami Dade County Commission
111 SW 1st ST
Miami, Fl. 33128

Dear Chair Monestine:

The recent analysis of racially biased policing by Channel 4 News and reported by Jim Defede (see attached) is not surprising to the NAACP as we regularly hear such complaints. However it is very sobering particularly when viewed against Miami Dade’s history and the current reporting of serious incidents throughout the country. When these abuses are raised with the police command at community meetings the response is that they want people to file those complaints for that is the best way for them to deal with police who abuse their public trust. . However the reality is that that system does not work as few complaints are filed. After the McDuffie disturbance Miami-Dade established a Civilian Independent Review Panel (IRP) at the urging of the NAACP along with others, which provided an alternative route to complain as well as a review of the police investigation. Unfortunately several years ago it was defunded and the NAACP has been advocating for its reinstatement ever since. In these critical days when our country's cities are again exploding, it is essential that complaints be brought and addressed. We urge you to address this urgent matter. As speed is of the essence we suggest re-instituting the IRP immediately. However given the lessons learned in civilian oversight of police since that ordinance was adopted we urge you to establish a task force to recommend future changes to the ordinance to make the process more effective. In addition, as the IRP has not been operating recently, there is an immediate need for outreach throughout the entire county to make the public aware of the process and facilitate the ease of filing complaints and therefore that task, with the resources to carry, it out should be implemented as part of the re-establishment of the IRP. We are copying all Commissioners, the Mayor and the Director of the Miami Dade Police Department on this letter and urge prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

Adora Obi Nweze President

Bradford E. Brown PhD First Vice President
CC Members of the Miami-Dade County Commission, Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Di