Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP)

The Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) provides for independent and impartial citizens’ oversight of the Miami Police Department.

Department Head

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Rodney Jacobs

Rodney Jacobs is a City Executive and Social Catalyst. Rodney completed his B.A. from Hiram College, a master’s degree in Public Health and Public Administration from the University of Miami and earned his Law Degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. Rodney is formally a Military Intelligence Officer for the United Sates Army Reserve.

The City of Miami’s Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) serves the public and police by providing fair and impartial assessments regarding concerns about sworn police officers.  The CIP provides a truthful judgment of issues and complaints and provides a comfortable environment to express grievances, concerns, and solutions.  The facts are assessed by community members in order to reflect the values of the community and improve understanding and public safety.

 

Director
Rodney W. Jacobs, Jr. JD, MPA, MPH
Phone: 305-960-4951
Email: rjacobs@miamigov.com 

Assistant Director
Adam Saper
305-960-4952
Email: asaper@miamigov.com

Investigator II
Robert Roth
305-960-4954
Email: rroth@miamigov.com

Investigator
Vivian Moreno, MSFS
Phone: 305-960-4950
email: vivmoreno@miamigov.com 

Investigator
Michael Lucas
Phone: 305-960-4955
Email: mlucas@miamigov.com

Independent Counsel
John Quick, ESQ
Phone: 305-960-4956

Administrative Aide II
Katiuska Garcia Olivera 
Phone: 305-960-4956
Email: KGarciaOlivera@miamigov.com

The Civilian Investigative Panel is comprised of private citizens, who apply for the position, are vetted by a nominating committee, then approved by The Commission. There are two members per district, two for the mayor, and one for the police chief. The panel meets on the third Tuesday of every month at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive. View Meeting Dates.

If you need to contact the Civilian Investigative Panel, email mcortes@miamigov.com or call 305-960-4956

View CIP Panel Members

If you'd like to apply to become a panel member, please complete the below form. You will be contacted if/when there is a vacancy in your district.

Apply to be a CIP Member

Process

Filing a Complaint

All complaints must be submitted within a year of the date of the incident giving rise to the complaint. Complaints submitted after one year of the alleged misconduct may, however, be reviewed by the CIP only if approved by a majority vote of its members. 

The CIP shall not accept complaints concerning incidents predating the effective date of the City of Miami Charter Amendment providing for the creation of the Panel (November 6, 2001). 

File a Complaint

The CIP Investigation Process

  1. After receiving a complaint about alleged misconduct, the CIP shall notify the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, within two (2) working days of the date received.

  2. Complaints received by the Internal Affairs Division will be preliminarily reviewed by the CIP and a determination made as to whether the CIP will conduct an independent investigation.

  3. The CIP may proceed with an investigation after determination by its independent counsel that an investigation will not interfere with any pending criminal investigation.

  4. The CIP may hold evidentiary hearings to be attended by the complainant, officers affected, witnesses and their attorney or representatives.

  5. At the conclusion of each review or investigation, the CIP shall render one of the following findings based on a preponderance of the evidence:

  • Unfounded: where the review or investigation shows that the act or acts complained of did not occur or were misconstrued.
  • Exonerated: where the acts that provide the basis for the complaint occurred, but the review or investigation shows such acts were proper.
  • Not Sustained: where the review or investigation fails to disclose sufficient facts to prove or disprove the allegations) made in the complaint.
  • Sustained: where the review or investigation discloses sufficient facts to prove the allegations) made in the complaint. 
  • No Finding: where, for example, the complainant failed to produce information to further the investigation; the review or investigation revealed that another agency was responsible, and the complaint has been referred to that agency; the complainant withdrew the complaint; the complainant is unavailable to clarify the complaint; the officer is no longer employed by the City of Miami, or the CIP did not reach a conclusion.

 

 The CIP/MPD has created a community police mediation program. If you’re interested in being a mediator for this program apply below.

Mediation Program

The CIP issues a minimum of 14 reports per year to fulfill its mandate to inform the public and City of Miami elected officials about departmental operations, complaint activity, case dispositions and police department discipline.

Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) Reports & Data

CIP-Case-Study.pdf(PDF, 6MB)