Aug 2, 2021
Photo: Getty Images North America
Miami’s second-highest ranked Black female police officer, is seeking whistleblower status and intends to file a civil rights lawsuit.
Keandra Simmons, a 16-year veteran of the evidence room, who commanded Liberty City as one of the city’s first Black female public information officers. She was, along with three others were being demoted by Chief Art Acevedo who was hiring a new deputy who had worked for him previously in Houston.
Acevedo made the changes after speaking with every staff officer and members of the community, as Simmons, was rolled back to a lieutenant in field operations and had her salary slashed. Simmons’ attorney Michael Pizzi filed complaints with the city and notified the mayor, city attorney and city manager that she was seeking whistleblower protections.