City of Miami Limited in Law Enforcement Oversight Following New Legislation

The City of Miami faces new restrictions on overseeing law enforcement misconduct following the enactment of House Bill No. 601 on April 12, 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, the law prevents the city from adopting ordinances related to the processing of misconduct complaints against law enforcement officers. Consequently, the city cannot allocate budget funds to any board that conflicts with these regulations. In an effort to maintain oversight, the Miami Chief of Police is moving forward with establishing a new civilian oversight board, which will review the department's policies and procedures.

This board will consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of seven members, appointed by the Chief, including at least one retired officer. The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) will take on many of the responsibilities previously held by the Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP), ensuring that community feedback remains integral to police oversight. The CAP's involvement aims to uphold ethical standards within the department while aligning practices with national guidelines. This legislative change reflects ongoing discussions around police accountability and community relations in Miami.