By Dennis Romero -
NBC News
The city of Miami took the first step Monday night to fire its chief of police, Arturo Acevedo, after controversial comments against the Cuban-American community.
"Today I have suspended Police Chief Art Acevedo with the intention of firing him," announced the city administrator, Art Noriega, in a statement.
Arturo Acevedo, head of the Miami Police Department, listens to protesters protesting the Cuban government at the Versailles restaurant in Miami, on July 14, 2021. Eva Marie Uzcategui Trinkl / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images file
Recent comments Acevedo, 57, made about Miami's management appear to be the reason for the impeachment.
A few days ago he affirmed that
the city is run by a "Cuban mafia"
, although he argues that this expression was formulated in a humorous way and that it has been politicized.
Acevedo also accused his elected superiors of
interfering in police investigations and compared their actions with the behavior of the government in communist Cuba
.
On the other hand, he is criticized for not having reported the damage to his off-road vehicle and that it is municipal property, allegations that he described as unfounded.
[Congressmen demand that Biden use the US capacity to reestablish the internet in Cuba]
His comments have angered many members of the influential Cuban-American community in Miami.
Acevedo was
born in Cuba and came to the United States as a child
, grew up in Southern California and led the Southern California Highway Patrol, which he joined in 1986.
The Miami commissioners had launched an investigation into the chief's actions.
Noriega hired Acevedo just 6 months ago, in March, when he was working for the Houston Police Department.
According to Miami statutes, the suspension is a necessary first step in a process of dismissal of the person who is in charge of the department.
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"
The relationship between the chief and the organization has become unsustainable
and should be resolved promptly," the city administrator explained in the statement.
"In particular, the relationship between the chief and the Police Department he leads - as well as with the community - has deteriorated beyond repair," he added.
Noriega said in his statement that the city will seek a new leader and that Deputy Chief of Police Manny Morales will take over on an interim basis.
In a letter to the police department on Monday, Acevedo
vowed to continue fighting for the city
.
"I promise to continue fighting to rid the MPD [Miami Police Department] of the political interference of the city council that, unfortunately, continues to negatively affect this organization," he said.
[Gloria Estefan reveals that she was sexually abused when she was 9 years old]
The Miami Police Fraternal Order, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, did not immediately respond to questions sent by NBC News, the sister network of Noticias Telemundo.
However, a survey of 781 people from the organization in September revealed that
8 out of 10 individuals did not trust the police chief
.
Acevedo, who has marched with the Black Lives Matter protesters and criticized former President Donald Trump's remarks about them, made headlines last year for taking a stand in favor of those calling for judicial reform.
However, he has been accused of not backing up his words with actions and reforms in his own departments.
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