MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Gardens Police Department Chief Delma Noel-Pratt held a news conference Thursday morning responding to discrimination allegations from a group of five Latino officers.
“We’ve been subject to transfers, demotions, several of us were relieved of duty, including myself, with no cause, a violation of the bill of rights, and this has been going on for several years now,” MGPD Sgt. Pedro Valdes said at a news conference with the group’s attorney, Michael Pizzi, on Wednesday.
Flanked by fellow police executives from multiple local departments and from the Florida Highway Patrol, Noel-Pratt pushed back strongly against the allegations, denying any racial discrimination and calling their demands that she step down or be fired misguided and misplaced.
“I am not stepping down,” she said. “I’m not afraid of a federal lawsuit, but I do want what’s right.”
She also said she wanted to make it “absolutely clear these allegations are without merit.”
“Every decision I make, as difficult as some may be, is rooted in operational necessity, not personal bias, and I do not operate in isolation,” Noel-Pratt said.
She also said, “In reference to transfers, let me be very clear: They are made based on feasibility, staffing needs, and the goal of maintaining effective and efficient departmental operations.”
“Officers from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly non-Hispanic officers, have also been transferred under my administration,” Noel-Pratt said.
Local 10 News asked Noel-Pratt if any of the officers brought up their concerns before resorting to litigation. She said she did not want to “dive into it.”
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