MIAMI, FL – Miami police officers are no longer allowed to carry guns inside City Hall while the commission, or any other public meeting, is in session.
The new rule was prompted by an unruly protest by dozens of Miami police union members last month who were upset by a cut in their benefits, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
In an email to his department, Police Chief Manuel Orosa called the protestors “a mob” who put city employees and those who attended the meeting “in fear for their safety,” according to the Miami Herald.
The only exceptions to the new rule will be officers assigned to City Hall or those inside the building handling a call.
Javier Ortiz, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, who organized last month’s protest said he’s disappointed by the ruling.
“We are very disappointed that the police administration would trust us with a firearm in a citizen’s home, but they won’t trust us with one in City Hall,” Ortiz told the paper.
He added that he’s not aware of any other municipality that has such a restriction.
From CBS Local