Case: DOJ Investigation of the Miami Police Department

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Case Summary

In 2002, Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz and Miami Police Chief Raul Martinez separately requested that the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the polices, practices and procedures of the Miami Police Department. The DOJ conducted an investigation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141 and issued a technical assistance letter to the department on March 13, 2003. In the letter, the DOJ made specific recommendations regarding changes to the department's written policies in …

In 2002, Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz and Miami Police Chief Raul Martinez separately requested that the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the polices, practices and procedures of the Miami Police Department. The DOJ conducted an investigation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141 and issued a technical assistance letter to the department on March 13, 2003. In the letter, the DOJ made specific recommendations regarding changes to the department's written policies in the following areas: use of force and use of force reporting, vehicle pursuit driving policy, search and seizure, complaints and investigations, early warning system, training, and structure of the operations manual generally.

In January 2006, the DOJ issued a follow-up technical assistance letter recommending that MPD improve training for line supervisors and Internal Affairs investigators in interview techniques, assessing the credibility of witnesses, and impartiality in the interview process. The DOJ recommended that training emphasize that investigators should consider all relevant evidence, including circumstantial, direct, and physical evidence, as appropriate, in making credibility determinations. In response to the technical assistance, MPD revised its policies, procedures and practices to ensure that every use of force is reported and adequately investigated. MPD made important changes to its policies that significantly restricted the use of deadly force. As a result, the DOJ closed the investigation without a formal agreement in 2006.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (1/22/2007)

Richard Jolly (11/25/2014)

Jessica Kincaid (3/21/2015)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Vilarello, Alejandro (Florida)

Wysong, George (Florida)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Investigation of the Miami Police Department

In re: DOJ Investigation of the Miami Police Department

March 13, 2003

March 13, 2003

Findings Letter/Report

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:37 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Florida

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Miami Police Department (Miami), City

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Failure to discipline

Failure to supervise

Failure to train

Racial profiling

Policing:

Excessive force

Improper use of canines

Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures