Exposito Speaks Out In Wake Of Police-Involved Shooting Protest
MIAMI (CBS4) - Protesters marched to the Miami Police Department as part of the 'No More Killing' march to protest the recent police-involved shootings.
They are also asking for Police Chief Miguel Exposito's resignation. Miami police officers have shot and killed seven black men in less than a year.
At one point, the protesters used a hearse and an empty coffin to illustrate the pain they say they've endured over the last eight months.
"We send the message that something needs to be done in the community and get some changes made downtown," said Sheila McNeil, who lost her son Travis last month when a Miami police officer killed him during a traffic stop. No weapon was found on the scene.
"It should tell the city of Miami police department, it should tell the mayor, it should tell the city manager and my colleagues that something is wrong," said Miami Commissioner Richard Dunn.
"So far, not one of these shootings have been found to be unjustified," said Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito.
Exposito sat down with CBS4 producer Erika Arriola and said he's doing what he can to bring justice.
"I have nothing to hide," he said. "I've arrested police officers in this police department for planting guns at shooting scenes and nothing is going to change."
The chief said the investigations into those shootings are still underway.
"With the exception of the last two shootings, we have turned over all of our evidence to the state attorney's office," Exposito said. "Any answers that the community is going to get, does not come from this police department it comes from the state attorney's office."
Even so, the families and friends of the seven men killed by officers are planning to march to the Miami police department to protest the shootings.
"I think that's part of free speech," he said. "I may not agree with the reasons they're doing it, but they have every right to do it."
