Florida

2 Miramar Police Officers Suspended from SWAT Team After Parkland Shooting, Officials Say

Officials say two Florida police officers who responded to last month's school shooting from a neighboring city have been temporarily suspended from the SWAT team.

Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Rues said in an email Wednesday that the officers didn't advise supervisors that they were going to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The suspension only applies to the SWAT team, so they'll remain on active duty for other assignments.

Officials said the issue was not that they responded, but that they didn't advise that they were responding.

"This response was conducted without the knowledge or authorization from your chain of command," a suspension letter sent to the officers read. "Self-response to incidents outside of our jurisdiction creates a lack of accountability for your actions."

Miramar's SWAT team had been training in nearby Coral Springs the morning of Feb. 14. The team had been placed on stand-by after the active-shooter report, but the Broward Sheriff's Office never called for them.

Miramar police say the officers' actions created a lack of accountability and potential safety situation.

Rues says a third SWAT team member was suspended for violating the department's social media policy.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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