Exposito's End? Commissioners Call for Chief's Resignation

Three of the 5 commissioners want Exposito out

Police Miguel Exposito was thrust into the public spotlight when he replaced a police chief that was being forced out amid political pressure.

He didn't know he would have to wear those same shoes he had to fill.

According to several reports, a majority of the Miami City Commission feels Exposito has to go in order for the city's Police Department to move forward.

But while all signs point to Miami's top cop being shown the door, a defiant Exposito has said he won't buckle to the pressure of resigning.

"In my mind [city management] made up their mind and they're going to fire him. It's separating the membership,'' Fraternal Order of Police President Armando Aguilar told the Miami Herald. "If he's going to be fired anyway, I think he should resign.''

City Commissioner Richard Dunn II was the first to say he wanted the chief to turn in his badge, but apparently Commissioners Wilfredo Gort and Francis Suarez also are in favor of Exposito getting the boot, the Miami Herald reported.

That's three of the five commissioners and the whole world knows where Mayor Tomas Regalado stands on the issue.

A similar scenario played out just over a year ago when then Chief John Timoney unceremoniously retired the night before Regalado took office.

Timoney and Regalado had a feud, but that was nothing compared to Exposito's problems with the man who hand picked him as Timoney's replacement.

After a series of dueling press conferences, Exposito and Regalado have yet to mend the fences despite vowing to burry the hatchet publicly.

Exposito accused the mayor of tampering with investigations. Regalado doesn't think Exposito has control over a police force that is viewed by critics in the community of being too trigger happy after several police-involved shootings.

Then came the hiring of Regelado's chief of staff as the new city manager, the only person with the authority to can Exposito. Tony Crapp Jr. quickly put a muzzle on Exposito, who was lambasted by Dunn at a public meeting about a clip in a reality TV show based on the Miami PD.

The writing was on the wall, but Exposito has stood by his stance that he will not resign.

Earlier this week, things got even more uncomfortable at City hall when a former FBI investigator was hired as a special advisor to oversee the Police Department.

That's like appointing another chef to look over the shoulder of a chef preparing a meal. We know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen.

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