Screenshot via Instagram/@iamchristineking
Audio By Carbonatix
Miami Police Department (MPD) Chief Manuel Morales is facing questions after he appeared in an advertisement endorsing Commissioner Christine King for reelection, a violation of city and department policy. The department has not confirmed whether an internal affairs investigation is underway.
A newly-filed internal affairs complaint alleges that Morales violated four civil City of Miami policies and MPD orders by appearing in full uniform in a political advertisement endorsing a particular candidate. Toward the end of the “Re-Elect Christine King” TV ad, which aired on Channel 10 and was paid for and approved by King, Morales is featured in his full uniform with his arm around the commissioner and waving at the camera.
According to the departmental orders and city policies cited in the complaint, sworn and civilian employees cannot “use office influence for political reasons” or take part in political activities while on duty; an employee’s photograph, name, or title may not be used in any testimonial or advertisement without the written approval of the police chief. Employees are prohibited from “making any statements, speeches, appearances, and endorsements or publishing materials that could reasonably be considered to represent the views or position of the department” without authorization.
The clip was captured during a May 2023 City of Miami event, according to a post on King’s Instagram, which features a carousel of photos of King wearing the same red dress while standing next to the police chief.
“Today we celebrate the City of Miami staff members @gmscmiami Team who have contributed to the successful deliveries of healthy and nutritious meals at our Farm Share distributions,” her post from May 25, 2023, reads.
The City of Miami Police Department has not responded to New Times’ questions about whether Morales is aware of the TV advertisement and if he had approved the clip being featured.
A spokesperson for King told New Times via text that department approval was not required.
“This video is not an endorsement,” they said. “It is a compilation of clips from social media and/or b-roll of events taken over her years in office. The clip with the chief was not during any political activity. They were not making an appearance. It was an award ceremony for police. The commissioner is acting in her official capacity as chairwoman of the City of Miami commission.”
King, a lawyer and former CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Economic Development Corporation nonprofit, who was first elected to her District 5 seat in 2021, is running against construction executive Marion K. Brown and retired teacher and community activist Frederick Bryant. She supported the failed effort to move the November city elections to 2026, coinciding with federal midterms, which would have extended the current commissioners’ term by a year without voter approval.
On the other hand, she voted against a motion to limit candidates to two four-year terms as a commissioner and two four-year terms as mayor. The item passed with Carollo and King as the two no votes, adding it as a referendum to the November ballot.
