Miami police’s Papier power couple fired

MIAMI – Husband and wife Ronald and Nerly Papier, both high-ranking City of Miami police officers, have been fired, Chief Art Acevedo told department staff Wednesday morning.

Both had been taken off active duty last month and were under an internal affairs investigation relating to a car crash and the handling of it.

Ronald Papier was a deputy chief and served as interim chief before Acevedo’s hiring in March. Nerly Papier was commander of the Neighborhood Enhancement Team in Little Havana.

Officer Kenia Fallat, a spokeswoman for the police department, sent Local 10 a statement that read: “Yesterday the Miami Police Internal Affairs Division served Deputy Chief Ronald Papier and Commander Nerly Papier with reprimand packages with a recommendation for termination related to their involvement in a non-injury vehicular crash and the administrative handling of the crash. Final disposition of this matter is pending, therefore, no further statement will be provided at this time.”

According to a police report, Nerly Papier was in her police SUV returning to headquarters on April 2 when she swerved to avoid a car and hit a curb.

An email later came to city and police leaders alleging that Papier was driving under the influence and that instead of following proper police procedures, she told her husband, who allegedly covered it all up, having the car towed and fixed.

The brief police report filed includes few details. In summary: no injury, no DUI check, no police action. It does show a five-hour gap in reporting.

A photograph obtained by Local 10 News shows the vehicle appearing to have damaged tires and rims.

Acevedo, sworn in three days after the wreck, made promises that include prompt investigations and ridding the department of problem officers.

“Our communities are watching us as leaders not just for what we say and do, but what we fail to say and do,” the chief previously said.

Acevedo is not yet commenting on his decision to fire the Papiers. Neither is the police union or the city manager, pending paperwork yet to be signed.

Efforts to interview the Papiers were also unsuccessful Wednesday.

Click here to get breaking news updates sent straight to your email inbox.