Carmel on the Case: Cop vs. Neighbor

WSVN -- For six months, Miami-Dade officer Rose Stabio was investigated by Internal Affairs. She has now been cleared in connection with an ongoing dispute with her neighbors.

John Rivera, Dade County Police Benevolent Association: "Well, I think that she has to say that she's been vindicated."

Police union president John Rivera says he speaks for Officer Stabio.

John Rivera, Dade County Police Benevolent Association: "She did everything by the book, and she did everything proper."

As 7 News first reported, Josue and Holli Abreu believed Officer Stabio called police to complain about loud noises and the family dog. As a result, police officers repeatedly came to their home.

Josue said he finally complained to Miami-Dade Police after Officer Stabio reported he was on his balcony with a weapon.

We have obtained the police recording of that call.

Officer Rose Stabio: "He's on the balcony. He has a weapon in his hand.

Dispatch: "QSL - advising there's a male on the balcony with a weapon in his hand."

Ten units responded to the Abreu home, and officers came out with guns drawn.

Dispatch: "Did you advise that it was a gun or just a weapon?"

Officer Rose Stabio: "It looked like a gun. I can't see from that far."

An officer on the scene later called into dispatch.

Responding Police Officer: "There's no weapons. There's no threats. No nothing, just clear."

Josue Abreu, Neighbor: "I told him I never owned a gun in my life. Please come inside. Look for weapons. There's not going to be any firearms in my house."

Holli Abreu, Neighbor: "He would have been arrested, don't you think, if he was threatening the life of a police officer with a weapon?"

According to this memo, Miami-Dade Police began a criminal investigation based on the possibility Officer Stabio filed a false report.

But that investigation changed after Stabio's fiancé said she called police for help based on what he saw, not what she witnessed.

Giomar Picon: "That I was the one who told her he has a weapon. I know, because I recognize it. I was able to see and recognize that it was a weapon."

After that statement, the case was reclassified to administrative.

It ended with the conclusion: "No violations of department policies and/or procedures were identified."

John Rivera, Dade County Police Benevolent Association: "But police officers are always at a disadvantage, no matter what you do. Whether you do things right by the book, you're still wrong in the eyes of many."

Meanwhile, the Abreus don't think they got a fair shake.

They say the anonymous noise complaints continued even after they gave away their dog.

Holli Abreu, Neighbor: "She's just using power that she has, because of the fact that she's a police officer and we're just civilians."

Carmel Cafiero, Investigative Reporter: "No matter who is right or wrong here, the dispute appears to be over. The Abreus have moved their family into a new home in a new neighborhood."

IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR CARMEL TO INVESTIGATE:

Miami-Dade: 305-627-CLUE

Broward: 954-921-CLUE

E-mail: clue@wsvn.com