Talk about making a splash.
Fresh from Houston, in his first 100 days as Miami’s new Police Chief, Art Acevedo has moved to fire Assistant Chief Ronald Papier — who was acting chief just a few weeks ago — and his wife, Maj. Nerly Papier, after he helped cover up an accident that she had in a police vehicle.
The recommendation comes after after the city’s fastest internal affairs investigation ever. But it’s up to the other Art, City Manager Art Noriega, to make the final decision. Some have said that he could demote the cop couple rather than terminate them, which could take a long time if they fight it. But if Noriega doesn’t go along with the reform-minded chief — Acevedo has boasted about cleaning house — then there’s also the possibility that the city manager is protecting himself, the mayor or commissioners.
The Papiers were nabbed for fudging the incident report on the April 2 accident on her police vehicle, but surely this is not the first time former Chief Papier covered something up for someone.
Written five hours after the fact, the report says Nerly Papier swerved to avoid hitting another car and hit the curb, damaging both tires. There is no DUI check, no reported injuries, no police action, no witnesses.
That’s because Nerly Papier fled the scene of the accident. She drove on the rims back to the station, damaging the tires and vehicle further. According to an anonymous emailer who is obviously someone who works at the police department and has been right about everything so far, the accident really occurred because Nerly Papier was under the influence. A photo of the damaged vehicle in the police lot was emailed separately later.
Read related: Miami code officer sues Alex Diaz de la Portilla after illegal nightclub raid
Involved, of course, is Police Captain Javier Ortiz — he former union head who has been a controversial figure even before he said he was a proud black man — and seven other officers who, sources say, have all been reprimanded. Just reprimanded?
Among them: Assistant Chief Manny Morales.
Ladra can’t help but wonder what kind of dirt Paper has and if he’s willing to talk now that he’s being fired. Supposedly he knows about the missing body cam from the night Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla was caught at an illegal nightclub.
What else does he know?
Miami’s new police chief moves to fire husband and wife team after cover-up added by Ladra on
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