MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami Gardens Police officers are demanding the termination of Police Chief Delma K. Noel-Pratt and announcing a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of all Hispanic male officers, alleging discriminatory practices and misconduct within the department.
Four of the five veteran officers calling for the chief’s firing were present at a news conference in Miami Lakes on Wednesday, where they detailed their personal experiences of unfair treatment while working in the department due to their Hispanic descent.
Officers stated that they’ve been demoted, stripped of titles and even placed on leave without an explanation.
“I was relieved of duty for six months,” said Miami Gardens Police Sgt. Pedro Valdez, one of the five officers calling for the Chief’s firing and planning the lawsuit against the City of Miami Gardens. “With no cause, I was told go home, no cause.”
Valdez claims under the direction of Noel-Pratt, the department is discriminating against Hispanic officers, and that when they complain, they are punished even more.
“To play with out emotions and mental state for no reason, no, enough is enough,” said Valdez.
The officers relived their frustrations at the lack of action taken on their behalf.
“We took every effort to try to avoid coming to where we are at here, but we are here now. We’ve been subjects of transfers, demotions, some of us relieved of duty — myself, without no cause, violation of the Bill of Rights — and this has been going on for several years now,” said Valdez.
As a result of the alleged discrimination in the workplace over such a prolonged period of time, the officers’ attorney, Michael Pizzi, said they have decided to go the legal route with filing the civil lawsuit.
“All of these officers sitting here today have been improperly and illegally targeted and harassed, demoted, suspended, humiliated,” said Pizzi.
Officer Francisco Mejido says he spent many years with the department’s K9 Unit.
“I was called in and removed from the unit,” said Mejido. “My dog was taken from me, I had to break that news to my two young kids, to my wife.”
He says he was removed from his position as a severe punishment for forgetting to dock his bodyworn camera at the end of a shift.
“As a result of the discrimination and the demoralization and abuse of their best police officers, it is absolutely, 100% impacting in a negative way public safety,” said Pizzi.
The city had been notified of the officers’ intent to sue, their complaints all stating the following:
“I have been assigned and reassigned and humiliated by duty transfers because of my race, gender and ethnicity.”
In the complaint, they also claim the department has a “pattern of retaliation against white Hispanic males because they have complained…”
7News reached out to the City of Miami Gardens and the police department for comment.
The City of Miami Gardens released this statement:
“The City of Miami Gardens is aware there is a pending lawsuit to be filed by a group of Police Officers. As a matter of policy, the City does not comment on pending litigation. The City remains committed to transparency and will respond accordingly within the legal process.”
The chief is set to address the lawsuit at around 11:00 a.m., Thursday morning.
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