Ethics - Whistleblowing - Miami, Florida Police Incident
Kardasz: Whistleblowing is a controversial subject. Employees who report the misconduct of fellow employees are sometimes subject to retaliation. Many states now have laws designed to protect whistleblowers. The following story describes a whistleblowing incident in Miami, Florida.
Whistleblowing Miami Cops Victims, Says Board
Civil Service Board Says Ethics Claims Brought Retaliation
Officers Owed Compensation And Apology
City Has 90 Days To Act
(CBS4 News), By Brian Adams, Jan 17, 2006 10:49 pm US/Eastern
Miami, Florida - Four Miami Police officers who blew the whistle on some potential ethics violations by their bosses received vindication today from the city's Civil Service board, which says their names should be cleared, misconduct charges should be dropped, and the officers should receive financial compensation for actions taken against them.
The city's civil service board says Asst. Chief Luis Vega, and other top brass at the department retaliated against Sgt. Robert Suarez, and detectives Margarita Baro, Lazaro Serpa, and Cesetino Perrera for asking prosecutors and the county ethics commission to look into some personal business for Assistant Chief Vega, which was using resources of the Miami police department to investigate the theft of his identity in other states.
"He didn't live in the city of Miami", said Civil Service Board Chair Miguel de la O, "so the department had no jurisdiction to be investigating it…and as a result of that, we found that they were transferred out in retaliation for the testimony and complaints."
The officers were reprimanded, and claims of misconduct and incompetence were leveled against Sgt. Suarez. The board will recommend to the city manager that those charges be cleared and that he be allowed to retire.
The board also recommends that reprimands against all 4 officers be rescinded and that the department's official newsletter publish an article telling everyone of the abuse of power and injustice committed against these officers.
The board is also suggesting that Assistant Chief Luis Vega, along with 2 Majors, a Captain, and a Lieutenant, receive a publicly admonished for their roles in this.
The board's recommendations are not binding.. But they do lay the ground work for this to be pursued in court, if the city doesn't right the wrong in a way the officers find satisfactory. Their attorney says that means cutting each of the officers a check. "Were talking about sums of money to take them through retirement", said Attorney Terry Guttman Valdes, "had the city not committed this wrong against him."
"I'm very happy", said Serpa, "that finally people can see what we have gone through." Sgt. Suarez says "we're very thankful for the board's decision."
Miami Police had no official comment about the Board's decision, but the Board's recommendations now go to the City Manager and Chief John Timoney, who will have 90 days to act on the decision.
Retrieved January 19, 2006 from http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_017171135.html