Miami police chief suspended, could be fired

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MIAMI (AP) — The Miami police chief has been suspended and could eventually be removed in a long-running dispute with top city officials.

The city manager suspended Chief Miguel Exposito on Tuesday and appointed an interim chief over the 1,100-officer Miami Police Department. The move means Exposito could be fired by the City Commission in days or weeks.

City Manager Johnny Martinez wrote in an email to commissioners that Exposito refused to obey orders regarding reducing overtime and personnel moves.

Exposito said in an email he could not comment because of a gag order imposed by the city manager.

Exposito has been embroiled in controversy, including claims that Mayor Tomas Regalado interfered with raids on video gaming parlors. Exposito also faced criticism over a series of fatal police shootings of seven African-American suspects.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.