08-30-2007, 10:59 AM
During the past four years, I have been honored to serve as your chief of police. I have patrolled your streets and neighborhoods; I have met and come to know many of you. You have opened your homes and businesses to me, extended your friendship and made me feel welcomed.
To the men and women of the Miami Police Department, I have the greatest respect and admiration for all of you. It is an honor to lead you, to serve alongside you, making our city safer.
Having spent my entire professional career in New York City and Philadelphia, I did not know what to expect when I became your chief. Upon arriving in Miami, this great city opened its heart to me and my family and made us feel like we had lived here all our lives. Having arrived in America in 1961, Miami has welcomed me as one more immigrant in search of the American Dream.
Regrettably, I have made a mistake. In my 35-year career in law enforcement, I cannot recall another time when an action or a decision on my part has caused such a questioning of my judgment and a lack of confidence in my ability to perform my duties to the city. For that, I am sorry. I hope that I have not let you down. I hope that my error has in no way diminished your confidence in me. I respect this department too much, and I love this city too much, to allow my actions to bring shame upon any of you.
To be clear, it was never my intent to mislead our community or its decisionmakers.
I have now purchased the vehicle in question. Additionally, I have had the Lexus dealership calculate the monetary difference between my leased sedan and the Lexus hybrid. I am dividing that amount equally and have sent the checks of support to three local charities: Boys and Girls Club of Miami, Shake-a-Leg Foundation and the Liberty City Optimist Club. In so doing, it is my hope that I can begin to make amends for my mistake.
I am prepared to accept any decision by the city manager, the ethics committee and the people of Miami. But know this: I have dedicated my life to law enforcement. I love what I do, and I want very much to continue serving you.
I love the people of this great city and can now only ask for your forgiveness. To all of you, I offer my deepest apology.
JOHN F. TIMONEY, chief of police, Miami
To the men and women of the Miami Police Department, I have the greatest respect and admiration for all of you. It is an honor to lead you, to serve alongside you, making our city safer.
Having spent my entire professional career in New York City and Philadelphia, I did not know what to expect when I became your chief. Upon arriving in Miami, this great city opened its heart to me and my family and made us feel like we had lived here all our lives. Having arrived in America in 1961, Miami has welcomed me as one more immigrant in search of the American Dream.
Regrettably, I have made a mistake. In my 35-year career in law enforcement, I cannot recall another time when an action or a decision on my part has caused such a questioning of my judgment and a lack of confidence in my ability to perform my duties to the city. For that, I am sorry. I hope that I have not let you down. I hope that my error has in no way diminished your confidence in me. I respect this department too much, and I love this city too much, to allow my actions to bring shame upon any of you.
To be clear, it was never my intent to mislead our community or its decisionmakers.
I have now purchased the vehicle in question. Additionally, I have had the Lexus dealership calculate the monetary difference between my leased sedan and the Lexus hybrid. I am dividing that amount equally and have sent the checks of support to three local charities: Boys and Girls Club of Miami, Shake-a-Leg Foundation and the Liberty City Optimist Club. In so doing, it is my hope that I can begin to make amends for my mistake.
I am prepared to accept any decision by the city manager, the ethics committee and the people of Miami. But know this: I have dedicated my life to law enforcement. I love what I do, and I want very much to continue serving you.
I love the people of this great city and can now only ask for your forgiveness. To all of you, I offer my deepest apology.
JOHN F. TIMONEY, chief of police, Miami