HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-20-0171City of Miami
Resolution R-20-0171
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 7537 Final Action Date: 6/11/2020
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY MAYOR CARLOS A. GIMENEZ ("MAYOR GIMENEZ") AND THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
("BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS") TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT
AN INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD WITHIN
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY") TO FACILITATE AND IMPROVE
COMMUNITY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE MIAMI-DADE POLICE
DEPARTMENT ("MDPD") AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY; FURTHER
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN.
SPONSOR(S): Mayor Francis X. Suarez
WHEREAS, in 2001, the City of Miami ("City") Charter was amended to mandate that the
City Commission create and established a Civilian Investigative Panel ("CIP") providing for an
independent and impartial civilian board to oversee the sworn officers of the City's Police
Department; and
WHEREAS, civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies is an important tool in
modern day society to improve police practices by facilitating an avenue for independent
investigations into allegations of police misconduct, examining the policies of police
departments, and providing recommendations to local officials; and
WHEREAS, civilian oversight of police serves to better improve the quality of a police
department and better hold individual officers accountable for their actions; and
WHEREAS, civilian oversight of law enforcement provides substantial benefits to
individuals, police departments, and the community as a whole; and
WHEREAS, civilian oversight of law enforcement helps to improve community relations,
increases public understanding of law enforcement policies and procedures, and increases
police awareness of community concerns; and
WHEREAS, the CIP has been the only active independent investigative authority in
Miami -Dade County ("County") for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, in light of the current discussions surrounding police -community relations
and the interactions between police and individuals it is apparent that independent civilian
oversight within the County is a necessary and important aspect of police oversight and
community relations; and
WHEREAS, the County does not currently provide individuals mistreated by Miami -Dade
Police Department ("MDPD") officers with any mechanism to register a complaint for
investigation by an independent civilian oversight committee; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 7537 (Revision:) Printed On: 5/2/2025
File ID: 7537 Enactment Number: R-20-0171
WHEREAS, local governments throughout the United States, including the County, and
the municipal governments within it, have experienced a need for strong, independent civilian
oversight of law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Miami -Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez has stated that he would use
his authority as the County's Mayor to prevent instances of police misconduct similar to the
incident that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, civilian oversight of law enforcement is an important means to avoid such
situations and to hold law enforcement officers accountable; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-33(f) of the City Code, the Miami City Commission by
a majority vote deems this Resolution to be of an emergency nature in order to immediately
protect the public health, welfare, and safety of the City's residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission urges Miami -Dade County Mayor Carlos A.
Gimenez and the Board of County Commissioners to create and establish an independent entity
providing civilian oversight of law enforcement which is: (a) adequately funded; (b) staffed with
an independent director and independent legal counsel; (c) authorized to issue subpoenas
within the County and in accordance with the law; (d) authorized to conduct alternative dispute
resolution; (e) authorized to investigate complaints against law enforcement officers; (f)
available for use/participation by all municipalities in the County; (g) authorized to review all
Miami -Dade County Police Department policies and procedures; and (h) all above -referenced
authority be made available to all municipalities in the County which do not have a similar entity.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Miami -Dade
County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and each of the elected officials on the Board of County
Commissioners.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
endez, City Httor6/12/2020
City of Miami
Page 2 of 2 File ID: 7537 (Revision:) Printed on: 5/2/2025