Significant Verdicts

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In December 1997, the Miami police officer who blew the whistle on quotas that discriminated against African-Americans was finally compensated.

The compensation came in the form of a $ 1.65 million jury verdict after a week-long trial, during Ervin A. Gonzalez presented evidence that Officer Jesus Del Rio was unfairly harassed and demoted in 1994 because he attempted to inform police authorities that other officers were targeting African-Americans in public parks to meet arrest quotas. Beginning in 1990, Officer Del Rio also filed complaints that certain police officers violated department policies, including socializing during working hours. In 1993, Officer Del Rio was interviewed on a Miami TV station about an order that Miami police officers had received not to list certain witnesses on DUI reports, a practice that violates Florida state law.

Instead of receiving positive acknowledgement of his efforts to point out these problems in the Miami Police Department, Officer Del Rio lost promotions and experienced health coverage delays.

The lawsuit named the ranking police department Chief, Assistant Chief, a Major, a Lieutenant, the Civil Service Board and the City of Miami.

According to Mr. Gonzalez, the retaliation against Officer Del Rio was obvious. Before he voiced his objections to discriminatory and unlawful practices, he had been recognized with many commendations for his work as a police officer. After his objections, Officer Del Rio was intentionally issued payroll checks of wildly fluctuating and incorrect amounts that deprived him of his salary.

Eventually, he was demoted to guarding impounded cars, one of the department's lowest assignments.

The verdict sends a loud message to Miami that these practices will not be tolerated and that those who bring the problems to the City's attention deserve a commendation, not retaliation and harassment.