Open Letter to Sgt. Ortiz and the FOP

8 Miami Officers Suspended In Fatal Beating of a Suspect
AP
Published: Monday, December 19, 1988



A suspected drug dealer was beaten to death in a confrontation with police officers who believed he had arranged the murder of one of them, the police said today. Eight officers have been suspended with pay while the killing is being investigated.

Six of the officers were with the suspected dealer, Leonardo (Cano) Mercado, before he died Friday, the police said. The other two were supervisors.

''This thing was just a frenzy,'' said Sgt. David Rivero, a police spokesman. He said Mr. Mercado, 35 years old, died of internal bleeding caused by ''blunt trauma to the torso.'' Murder Charge Possible

Mr. Mercado died Friday night at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Sergeant Rivero said the Police Department decided late Saturday to suspend the officers after an autopsy. The investigation could lead to charges of murder, he said.

The six undercover officers, all members of a special unit fighting street drug sales, confronted Mr. Mercado outside a relative's home while on duty Friday. Days earlier, the authorities said, the officers had received an anonymous tip that Mr. Mercado had arranged for the murder of one of them, Pablo Camacho.

Witnesses said the officers took Mr. Mercado inside his relative's home, shut the door and pulled a curtain shut. The officers had no arrest warrant, the police said.

''I saw Cano's girlfriend standing next to the door, yelling, 'They're beating him! They're beating him!' '' said Jack Castaneda, 16. ''You could see the movement through the window.'' Witnesses Saw Blood and Bruises

He said a 14-year-old stepson of Mr. Mercado's climbed in through a back window but was thrown out by the police.

Ruben Mercado, a 15-year-old nephew of the dead man, said he saw his uncle being carried away on a stretcher by paramedics. ''He looked bluish,'' said the boy. ''There was blood coming out of his mouth and bruises on his head.''

On Friday, the police said Mr. Mercado was injured in a struggle that broke out when three officers approached him for questioning and he ran into the house for a knife. On Saturday, Sergeant Rivero said a knife had been found, but he could not say whether Mr. Mercado had brandished it.

Relieved of duty along with Officer Camacho were Detectives Andy Watson, Tommy Trujillo, Charlie Haynes, Ron Sinclair and Nathaniel Veal, along with the drug squad's leader, Lieut. Michael Christopher, and Sgt. Manuel Orosa. They were accused of violating departmental rules after the confrontation by failing to protect a crime scene and allowing the six detectives to leave the scene.

If this is the best the FOP, can do ?
Why is the FOP, supporting this guy with a shady past. The FBI, have already raised the issue with several Regalado insiders but the FOP, does not see a problem.
Sgt. Ortiz
as you are the only person from the FOP, that actually leaves their name here who is the FOP, supporting for Chief of Police ?
I have heard Burden, Exposito and now this guy.
The ranking file would like to know. Please tell us who is the FOP supporting and why ?
if it has not been talked with the members . Thank you

WHAT A PAST!!! GREAT QUESTION???? FOP??? JAVI????

Why ??????
Sgt. Ortiz please tell us this guy is not the one

This case is a great true novel, I wonder if the media gets a hold of this story and really ask questions about our next chief ?
Why is Camacho working for Regalado ?
How is a Supervisor (Sgt) at the time could not supervise his men and now they are considering him for Chief of Police ?
Could it be Camacho has dirt on him ?
as Statue of Limitation on Murder does not run out and they can control who is investigated and who is not ?

EXPOSITO OR BURDEN FOR CHIEF, NOT SOME ONE PICKED BY CAMACHO
How does the Miami Community Police Benelovent Association (MCPBA)
feel about this linching ???
What about the NAACP ?
We want to know

May 25, 1990

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff,
v.
PABLO CAMACHO, et al., Defendants

http://fl.findacase.com/research/wfrmDo ... SFL.htm/qx

[JAVI ORTIZ]

The FOP isn't supporting any Chief in particular. And, who are any of us to judge a fellow Police Officer that was cleared of any wrongdoing? In our profession, we don't have alot of authority. We have alot of responsibility. Anyone can accuse us of breaking the law. And, those in our profession are examined alot closer than a regular individual.

If a group of people were accused of beating a drug dealer to death, would it even make it to the news? The majority wouldn't even care. But, when it has anything to do with law enforcement officers, it is a big deal. Anyone can put a complaint. If a citizen is accused of stealing $20,000, a report is taken by the police department. If a police officer is accused of taking two dollars from a crackhead, an investigator and his/her team is assigned to the case. And, under the current administration you are marked with an "inconclusive finding". And, when you go to court and a defense attorney pulls your IA profile, you will be asked if you have ever been accused of theft. You won't be asked how much was alleged. And, the attorney will say it was found inconclusive because your IA investigators were "covering up" for a fellow police officer. There is no innocent until proven guilty in our world. Your allegations made by corrupt people will be in your personnel jacket for the rest of your career.

As far as the FOP answering on this website...I'm looking forward to the new FOP #20 website. We are awaiting for the website address to be established. And, you will have to register and questions will be answered by the FOP.

Manny served 2 years on ROD status for his involvement in covering up the incident. I think he has paid his debt to the department and should be forgiven. In addition, the sexual harassment complaints filed on Adam have either never been substantiated or settled privately which means that he also has a clean record. These are both honorable and qualified individuals who happen to get caught up in unfortunate circumstances. The past is the past and the tarnish which has stained the reputations of these two individuals should have worn off by now. Stop the hate. In addition, they were both screened by Chief Timoney prior to receiving their promotions.

The FOP isn't supporting any Chief in particular. And, who are any of us to judge a fellow Police Officer that was cleared of any wrongdoing? In our profession, we don't have alot of authority. We have alot of responsibility. Anyone can accuse us of breaking the law. And, those in our profession are examined alot closer than a regular individual.

If a group of people were accused of beating a drug dealer to death, would it even make it to the news? The majority wouldn't even care. But, when it has anything to do with law enforcement officers, it is a big deal. Anyone can put a complaint. If a citizen is accused of stealing $20,000, a report is taken by the police department. If a police officer is accused of taking two dollars from a crackhead, an investigator and his/her team is assigned to the case. And, under the current administration you are marked with an "inconclusive finding". And, when you go to court and a defense attorney pulls your IA profile, you will be asked if you have ever been accused of theft. You won't be asked how much was alleged. And, the attorney will say it was found inconclusive because your IA investigators were "covering up" for a fellow police officer. There is no innocent until proven guilty in our world. Your allegations made by corrupt people will be in your personnel jacket for the rest of your career.

As far as the FOP answering on this website...I'm looking forward to the new FOP #20 website. We are awaiting for the website address to be established. And, you will have to register and questions will be answered by the FOP.

Thank you very much.
That's why i respect you(may not agree with you) but Thank you once again for clearing this as some members of the FOP, are claiming that the FOP, is endorsing Manny.
But just remember that we are police officer and are held to a higher standar than a regular civilian. We can arrest people only on our word......but Thank you for answering my question.

Manny served 2 years on ROD status for his involvement in covering up the incident. I think he has paid his debt to the department and should be forgiven. In addition, the sexual harassment complaints filed on Adam have either never been substantiated or settled privately which means that he also has a clean record. These are both honorable and qualified individuals who happen to get caught up in unfortunate circumstances. The past is the past and the tarnish which has stained the reputations of these two individuals should have worn off by now. Stop the hate. In addition, they were both screened by Chief Timoney prior to receiving their promotions.

Mariano,
So you are saying that he is ok to lead this police department ? He could not even obtain clearance to sit on a JT Task Force, but yet here you are saying that he should lead this department. On a HOMICIDE ????/ wow you really are an ass kisser or a dumb ass.
We have a better qualified individual in Burden and Exposito, if Regalado wants.

Good job Sarg but that is why we are a banana republic. With so many qualified,clean leaders,we choose tarnished one's!
His background does not make us look good so Manny should stay right where he is,as a Major and be grateful.
We will never learn.

Good job Sarg but that is why we are a banana republic. With so many qualified,clean leaders,we choose tarnished one's!
His background does not make us look good so Manny should stay right where he is,as a Major and be grateful.
We will never learn.

Agree