Miami Police officers under fire

Harold James pleads guilty to extortion charges

MIAMI – A former City of Miami Police officer pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion, and he's one of several officers who has been in trouble this week.

Harold James pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday. He is accused of protecting an illegal sports gambling operation.

On Thursday, a judge denied bond to officer Luis Fernandez, who is charged with armed kidnapping and armed sexual battery by a law enforcement officer.

On Wednesday, the Miami Police Department fired officer Reynaldo Goyos for violating its "Deadly Force Policy." Goyos shot and killed Travis McNeil in Feb. 2011.

"The officers are getting out of those vehicles now and they coming out into the community and dealing with our young people," said Shelia McNeil, Travis' mother. "What I don't see are a whole lot of black officers in our neighborhoods, which I'm praying that that'll change soon."

Goyos will not be charged, according to State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, saying that the department's use of force policy is more stringent than state law.

McNeil was one of seven African-American men killed by City of Miami Police officers during seven months in late 2010 and early 2011. A probe into those shootings continues.