Miami Chief Tries to Make Peace with City Commission

Embattled Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo handed his boss (the city manager) a lengthy report Tuesday with plans on how he intends to reduce gun violence, improve police morale and mend fences with his critics on the city commission.

The chief, battered by a trio of commissioners over a series of controversial moves during a pair of contentious and downright bizarre public hearings the past two weeks, admitted to some mistakes and tried to extend an olive branch to those he infuriated, the Miami Herald reports.

The 24-page report turned in late Monday by Acevedo was in response to a directive from City Manager Art Noriega, who late last week scolded the chief for a lack of “cultural awareness” and for not being receptive to his advice. The city manager demanded that Acevedo submit a plan on how he intends to reform the department, increase officer morale and repair his damaged relationship with several commissioners.

In his report to the city manager Acevedo outlined six categories he hoped to improve over the next 90 days.

▪ Reduce gun violence by 7 percent by flooding five neighborhoods with the most gun crimes so far this year — Little Havana, Model City, Allapattah, Little Haiti and Overtown.

▪ Improve quality of life issues for residents by focusing on illegal liquor sales and solving homelessness issues.

▪ Beef up Special Operations, which runs the traffic, K9, marine and robbery units.

▪ Improve police morale through an employee survey.

▪ Improve relations with the media by analyzing how many stories have been positive, negative or neutral.

▪ And mend ties with commissioners by meeting with them after 90 days to discuss how to build long-term relationships.