Miami, Florida police officers - as many as six of them - are under investigation for allegedly aiding a gambling ring operating under the guise of a local business, news reports indicates. The officers, who have thus far remained publicly anonymous, allegedly provided security for the business while off-duty and are now the subject of an FBI investigation. The alleged wrongdoing was discovered, ironically, during a police-assisted FBI probe into the gambling ring. So far, none of the officers have been arrested, though criminal charges are expected as the investigation moves forward. It is unclear whether any officers have faced reassignment or administrative leave during the investigation.
According to reports, the Miami Police division has nearly 1,100 officers employed throughout its department. Over the years, the police force, like many others, has faced a number of allegations of wrongdoing. In 2010 and 2011, the US Justice Department began investigating the department after a police shooting took the lives of several ethnic minorities, five of whom were reportedly unarmed at the time, news sources indicate. That investigation remains ongoing and it is unclear whether any officers were charged in that case.
Reports also say investigators looking into allegations that Miami-Dade and other area law enforcement officers aided or took part in a slew of ID theft and tax refund frauds. The investigation is still active, so many of the details remain classified. It is not yet known whether any of the officers being investigated in that case have faced criminal charges or have been reassigned or suspended by the department.
The Miami mayor commented on the this recent investigation, saying he was not briefed on the details but that, "To me, this investigation is not a black eye to the city or the police department. It's a good thing. It means we're moving forward with a better police force." Nevertheless, he went on to say, "Certainly, this [investigation] is not good for the city. It doesn't improve the city's image."
According to reports, this whole controversy began with an initial FBI investigation into a Liberty City gambling ring. During that probe, agents witnessed at least one Miami officer offer the ring's unlawful activities police protection, reports indicate. As many as six officers, who were off-duty at the time, allegedly provided security for the ring. It is not known what incentive the officers had to assist in security for the gambling ring.