NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – One day after the city of North Miami Beach suspended its police chief, Harvette Smith, amid an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the top cop’s brother said Friday he’s confident his sister will be cleared.
Officials didn’t specify what the FDLE is investigating. Court documents obtained by Local 10 News showed that Smith has been entangled in a family dispute in which her mother is suing a distant relative over allegations of a falsified property deed.
That relative, Alona Naylor, asked a judge to grant a protective order against Smith in September, accusing her of stalking and posing an “imminent threat to her,” claiming she “has weaponized her role by nefariously influencing the NMBPD to commit illegal acts outside of official duty.”
The judge found no cause to do so and dismissed the motion. Naylor’s attorney also claimed in a filing related to the deed lawsuit that a falsified affidavit had been signed at the North Miami Beach police headquarters.
Smith’s brother, Harvey Sears Jr., says the allegations aren’t true.
“She’s got 33 years on the force,” Sears said. “Do you think she would jeopardize that for what they are claiming?”
In an interview with Local 10 News, Sears stood front and center defending his sister, who he said “wouldn’t do anything like” what’s alleged.
“We grew up right here in this park, me and my sister,” Sears said. “My sister never had a fight. Fear of your life for who? Fear of your life for who? My sister never had a fight, so how are you going to be in fear for your life.”
Sears said, “At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my sister going to be back (as) chief again.”