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Reuters

Police in Florida have caused outrage for using photographs of just black suspects for sniper target practice.
A police department in the Miami area responded to public fury saying the images were of people they had previously arrested, and that they often used photos of real suspects for training purposes.
Police leaders said they realised the use of the mugshots late last month after members of the Florida National Guard discovered the pictures at a shooting range during their annual weapons qualifications training, the North Miami Beach Police Department and a Miami NBC affiliate said.
"This is not a race issue. There was no mal-intent or prejudice involved," a police statement said.
The police department said the mugshots were those of suspects arrested more than a decade ago, and that photographs of real people were often used during sniper training to simulate real life.
Woody Deant was shocked to learn police were using a picture of his face from 15 years ago for target practice, according to broadcaster NBC 6.
"The picture actually has, like, bullet holes," Deant told NBC 6. "One in my forehead and one in my eye. I was speechless."
The department's chief, Scott Dennis, said sniper training was suspended and an investigation was launched two hours after he learned of the incident on December 22.
No disciplinary action would be taken, he said.
"The North Miami Beach Police Department recognises how, taken out of context, it may appear to be offensive," Dennis said. He noted that only two of the department's 95 officers were snipers.
Nevertheless, the incident has struck a nerve in south Florida, where police departments have faced criticism over shootings and harsh treatment of suspects.
"We see this act as a symptom of a larger systemic issue that devalues black and brown lives," Muhammed Malik, of the Miami Committee on State Violence, said. Early last month, the committee led hundreds of activists in closing a major Miami highway to protest against the deaths of unarmed black men Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner of New York.


Police use just black mugshots for target practice

Bullet holes puncture mugshots of black suspects arrested more than 10 years ago after the police's training. Photo: SCMP

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Police in Florida have caused outrage for using photographs of just black suspects for sniper target practice.


Police use just black mugshots for target practice

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Police in Florida have caused outrage for using photographs of just black suspects for sniper target practice.

Police in Florida have caused outrage for using photographs of just black suspects for sniper target practice.