Miami

Man, Family Claim Excessive Force During Miami-Dade Police Arrest Caught on Camera

A man's family claims he was the victim of excessive force when he was arrested by undercover Miami-Dade police officers in an incident that was caught on camera.

Rafael Gonzalez-Miranda, 22, was arrested Tuesday on charges of resisting an officer with violence and battery on an officer.

The arrest report says officers were doing narcotics surveillance on 131st Place in southwest Miami-Dade when they saw two men buying drugs. That's when they say Miranda pointed at the undercover car letting the two men know they were being watched by undercover cops. The two men ran away leaving the teen alone to the face police officers, and the encounter was caught on surveillance camera.

Gonzalez-Miranda's father said the cops abused his son, and hired an attorney. The family believes their son didn't do anything wrong and was simply outside his home.

"It looks like absolutely excessive force, we can all see that from the video," defense attorney Harvey Watnick said. "I'll be looking into whatever there might be that is not on the video."

Miami-Dade police claim Gonzalez-Miranda was resisting arrest. The department issued a statement Thursday saying it "strives to provide professional service and remains committed to its core values of Integrity, Respect, Fairness and Service. The details involved in this incident are stated within the Arrest Affidavit and the proper departmental documentation has been completed. Anyone that feels they have not been treated in a professional manner is urged to contact our Professional Compliance Bureau."

Gonzalez-Miranda was given a $5,000 bond and has been released from jail.

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