Miami Beach's Police chief has announced sweeping policy changes after more than a dozen officers sent or received emails containing racist and sexist messages and images.
Chief Daniel Oates said the new policy reflects the his clear message: there's zero tolerance for racist or inappropriate behavior in his organization.
"Any violations of our policy on mis-using our email system, have to be reported to us," Chief Oates said.
Prior to this change, the department already prohibited improper use of the email system and digital media, however, employees did not have to report abuse of this rule by other employees to Internal Affairs.
"If you don't report it, you're gonna get in trouble," he said. "And based on that, I have every confidence that in that in the future people will report it."
Chief Oates said the disturbing emails were primarily sent by former Major Angel Vazquez, Lt. Alex Carulo, and 14 other officers. According to investigators, they found more than 230 messages that were racially offensive, pornographic or homophobic in nature.
The investigation into the messages continues.
