Dec 6, 2007 7:55 pm US/Eastern
FBI Gets Involved In Miami Crime Statistics Probe
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The investigation into the City of Miami's crime stats reached a new level this week. The FBI is stepping in, and they want to know if the police department's top brass is encouraging officers to manipulate their reports in order to make the department look better.
But the police officials allege Police Chief Timoney is obstructing the investigation.
The Miami Police Department has been under investigation over charges it falsified crime reports to make the city appear safer than it really is.
The police officers union brought the allegations that officers are under withering pressure to downplay the crime picture. The same claims already being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are being investigated by the FBI as well.
"The FBI is reviewing the statistics. Our Criminal Justice Information division has been asked to assist in the investigation," said FBI Spokesperson Judy Orihuela.
"This is a critical issue; it goes tot he issue of public confidence," said Police Chief Timoney in a press conference earlier this year.
In fact Timoney has denied his department cooks the crime stat books and said he welcomes an investigation. However, an internal memo put out by Timoney and obtained by
CBS4 News has some questioning his commitment to a full probe.
In the Chief Timoney's memo he informs that he has designated a "sole liaison [to work] with the FDLE," and a "sole liaison [to work] with the FBI".
No one else is allowed.
Timoney's memo goes on to to say that, "No materials or information are to be provided in the above matters by anyone without the direct approval of the designees."
"In my opinion, he's obstructing the investigation," said Fraternal Order of Police President Armando Aguilar.
Aguilar calls Timoney's memo outrageous.
"If I'm doing an investigation on you, and everything that goes to me has to get approved by you, you're not going to give me anything that's good for the investigation. That's just common sense," he said.
City commissioner Tomas Regalado says the chief's order might deter officers from coming forward.
"How can you talk to investigators if you need to say to your boss, who is being investigated, what you're going to say?" said Regalado. "To me there is something very wrong."
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff says he's not ready to call Timoney an obstructionist, but he says the investigation of the police department should be unbridled.
"Everybody from the bottom to the top of the chain should have unfettered access, without any interference by any supervisory personnel," said Sarnoff.
Through the use of a spokesperson, Chief Timoney declined to comment on the FBI entering the crime stats investigation or his now controversial memo.
Neither the FBI nor the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would comment on the police chief's memo ordering his people to get permission before speaking with investigators. An FDLE spokesman did say, "Our investigation is ongoing, it will be thorough and conducted as we see appropriate."
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