Panels will look into allegations of abuse by police during FTAA protests in Miami
By Diana Marrero
Miami Bureau
Posted December 27 2003
Miami -- Noel Cleland has lived in Miami-Dade County for 48 of his 51 years. He is well educated -- a biomedical engineer -- and engaged in the community as an active member of Coral Gables Congregational Church.
Until recently, the county's two civilian oversight panels -- known as the CIP and IRP -- were mere alphabet soup to him.
Then came last month's free trade talks in Miami, which attracted thousands of protesters and sparked an outcry among activists who say police mistreated peaceful demonstrators. Cleland, who attended the protests with his daughter on Nov. 20, says he witnessed police misconduct, which prompted him to learn about the panels and file complaints with them.
But Cleland is the exception among the protesters. Most are unaware of or distrust the boards, which plan to hold a joint public hearing Jan. 15 to address allegations of abuse by police during the Free Trade Area of the Americas meeting.
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