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Title: Report: 3 Miami officers fired over target practice 'jokes'
Source:
Associated Press
URL Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/paper-3- ... target-practice-124123048.html
Published: Dec 31, 2016
Author: Adriana Gomez Licon
Post Date: 2016-12-31 18:36:21 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 1120
Comments: 8
Three new police officers were fired for making comments on a group chat about using Miami's primarily black neighborhoods for target practice, a newspaper reported Friday.
Officers Kevin Bergnes, Miguel Valdes and Bruce Alcin were let go on Dec. 23, after an internal affairs investigation concluded that they violated department policies, said the Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2hxDZZp), citing documents it obtained.
The remarks angered local civil rights activists keeping tabs on a department that is currently scrutinized by the U.S. Department of Justice for a pattern of excessive force.
"It's indicative of the casual conversations and comments that young and even more seasoned police officers are used to making without a lot of repercussions," said Julia Dawson, an activist who has been part of law enforcement oversight panels in Miami.
The Miami police department confirmed that officers Bergnes, Valdes and Alcin were fired, but did not explain the reasons behind the dismissals.
In a statement Friday, Chief Rodolfo Llanes said an internal affairs investigation found the officers' actions "inconsistent with the mission and values of our department."
Attorney Stephan Lopez, who represents the three officers, told The Associated Press that his clients were joking and that the comments were taken out of context. He pointed out that Alcin is African-American and Valdes has a black grandfather.
"They wanted to make an example out of this. But they made an example of the wrong people," Lopez said. "These guys didn't shoot anybody. They were clearly joking around. They are kids. You don't terminate them the day before Christmas Eve."
The incident happened June 30, when the three officers responded to other rookie colleagues' questions about shooting ranges in a WhatsApp chat they often used to communicate, the paper said. According to documents obtained by the Herald, the officers-in-training shared department information on that thread.
It said the documents show Bergnes sarcastically suggested the friend looking for a shooting range try a Bank of America, adding "they'll even give you some cash." He then suggested Model City — the police district that includes Liberty City and handles the bulk of the city's shootings — as another location.
Valdes suggested a particular intersection in the Overtown community, according to the paper. It added that Alcin followed up, saying Valdes "wouldn't understand" until he's worked there.
The next day, an officer warned them that their words were offensive even though she didn't think they were racist. "Your words can come back to bite you," she allegedly wrote.
A sergeant learned of the conversation and ordered one officer to apologize. He also wrote a memo to a lieutenant about the matter, according to the Herald. Internal affairs began an investigation and concluded on Dec. 19 that they broke social media, courtesy and responsibility rules, the paper said.
Lopez, the attorney, said it's too early to say whether he will file a lawsuit for wrongful termination or negotiate to get their jobs back. The officers were still on probation after being sworn in earlier this year.
Javier Ortiz, president of the police union, said he didn't agree with the "joking texts" but that it wasn't enough for dismissal. He said the city manager would "rather focus on text messages than the senseless killings and violent crime."
The incident came months after the city of Miami agreed to go under supervision of the U.S. Justice Department to reform its policing after a series of police shootings from 2008 to 2011. The agreement followed a report that questioned 33 police shootings, including seven black men and teenagers who were killed in a short time.
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It said the documents show Bergnes sarcastically suggested the friend looking for a shooting range try a Bank of America, adding "they'll even give you some cash."
They were probably joking, but I can't help but wonder what would happen if someone suggested on Facebook to use a local police precinct headquarters as a shooting range.
Would that be considered "funny" too?
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#2. To: Deckard (#1)
They were probably joking
That matters not one whit.
In today's america, words trump deeds and intentions can be divined.
#3. To: cranky (#0)
Three new police officers were fired for making comments on a group chat about using Miami's primarily black neighborhoods for target practice, a newspaper reported Friday.
Nothing beats dynamic shooting exercises. Standing in a line and shooting at paper targets is not conducive to real life shooting scenarios. lol
I'm glad I'm retired.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
#4. To: GrandIsland (#3)
" I'm glad I'm retired. "
I would say you are. And I don't blame you. I seriously doubt that job has gotten any better!
Say, are you still doing your photography?
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."Theodore Roosevelt-1907.
I am concerned for the security of our great nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within." -- General Douglas MacArthur
#5. To: Deckard (#1)
Would that be considered "funny" too?
Hey, good idea. I'll pass it on to my sociopath friends.
#6. To: Stoner (#4)
Say, are you still doing your photography?
I have a Nikon D800... and often shoot photography for myself or others. At the moment, I've been shooting different scenic pictures to use the digital image in my office, printed on canvas... split in three sections.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
#7. To: GrandIsland (#6)
" I have a Nikon D800... and often shoot photography for myself or others. At the moment, I've been shooting different scenic pictures to use the digital image in my office, printed on canvas... split in three sections. "
Sounds interesting. I just use a disposable camera, pictures of family, etc. Pretty dull.
I have a buddy that years ago really got into it. He started in a closet, ended up with a fortune in equipment, took up his whole basement. He did landscapes, close up of insects, animals, group photos, etc. Did really good work. Then out of the blue, he lost interest, sold all of his equipmment, and got into woodwork. He built some beautiful pieces, china cabinets, dining tables & chairs, etc. He was one of those guys that whatever he got into, he did it really well. I have not seen him in years. Don't know what he is doing these days.
Glad to hear you are still into it. Enjoy.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."Theodore Roosevelt-1907.
I am concerned for the security of our great nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within." -- General Douglas MacArthur
#8. To: Stoner (#7)
Glad to hear you are still into it. Enjoy.
Thank you. Happy holidays and New Years to you and your family.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
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