Racial Relations

Miami Residents Call for Investigation Into Police

After deaths of seven black men.

Many in Miami are questioning the motives of the Miami Police Department and its chief, Miguel A. Exposito, after the shooting deaths of seven African-American men by police officers in the city in eight months. “I don’t understand how the powers that be can allow these things to keep happening,” said Sheila McNeil, the mother of one of victims, an unarmed 28 year old shot at a traffic light. One officer in particular shot and killed two men within nine days last August—all while under investigation for selling seized phones. Exposito himself is considered part of the problem, as the previous police chief, John F. Timoney, went 22 months without having a police officer fire a weapon. The families of the victims will speak at City Commission meeting Thursday.