Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending May 23, 2014
May 22, 2014
The following is an informational update on law enforcement news, events, legislative developments and meetings relating to the Florida Police Chiefs Association community for the week ending May 23, 2014.
Click on the hyperlinks in bold type to access all information.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Florida Police Chiefs Association lobbyists, Colodny Fass& Webb.
NEWS
Scott receives budget, veto watch commences
Florida Governor Rick Scott has until June 4 to decide on the $77.1 billion budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and special interests with favored projects will have their eyes pealed for his line-item vetoes.
Florida Governor Scott to Veto 75-mph Speed Limit Bill
Responding to pleas from highway troopers and the state’s sheriffs, Florida Governor Rick Scott said he will veto a bill that could increase the speed limit on Florida highways from 70 to 75 mph.
Metro Orlando streets are again nation’s riskiest for walkers
Metro Orlando once again is the most dangerous place in the country to take a walk, followed closely by three other Florida regions: Tampa-St. Petersburg, Jacksonville and Miami-Fort Lauderdale.
Florida top spot in nation for watercraft thefts
Get ready for some summer fun. But keep an eye on your Jet Ski – as well as any other watercraft.
Florida Congressional-redistricting maps go on trial
After two years of legal bickering, Florida’s redrawn congressional maps go on trial today in a case that could plunge the election calendar into chaos.
State regulators: 39 nurseries can grow “Charlotte’s Web” marijuana
The Florida Department of Agriculture initially determined that 21 Florida nurseries would qualify to bid on state licenses to grow cannabis, if Gov. Scott signs SB 1030.
Does “warning shot” bill weaken Florida’s Stand Your Ground law?
When lawmakers passed the “warning shot” bill during the 2014 Session, a key selling point was that it would prevent cases like that of Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman sentenced to 20 years in prison after firing a shot to ward off her estranged husband.
Editorial: Florida’s next drug problem is heroin
The escalating rate of heroin overdoses in Florida is the predictable but disturbing byproduct of the state’s crackdown on prescription drug abuse.
Lawyers say funding crisis emerges for legal services for poor
All sides agree that funding for legal-services groups – which receive money from the Florida Bar Foundation, counties and the federal government – is in dire straits.
When Guns and Mental Health Intersect: Flagler Deputies Seize Arsenals on Two Occasions in 5 Days
For the second time in five days Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies have seized, with consent, two unrelated individuals’ weapons for safekeeping after incidents involving excessive grief or hallucinations, and fear among cops or relatives of the individuals involved that they could harm themselves if their weapons were left in their possession.
Who’s tracking your cellphone now? Could be the cops
Could a high-tech surveillance device now being used by some local authorities also be tricking your cellphone into giving up its secrets?
Polytechnic University Hires Chief to Set Up Police Department
Florida Polytechnic University will begin the process of establishing its own police department to watch over the campus, and a new chief already is on board.
Former Orlando police chief ends mayoral challenge
Former Orlando police chief Val Demings says she is ending her campaign to become mayor of Orange County.
High Springs Police Department Evaluated by Florida Police Chiefs Association
A lengthy press release, issued by the city of High Springs on April 18, summarized the findings of an independent management review and evaluation of the High Springs Police Department by a member of the Florida Police Chief’s Association.
Criminal justice students honor fallen Florida officers with specialty plate
A group of 18 students in the Criminal Justice Program, spearheaded by senior Lauren Lofton, was recognized by the school and the Pinellas County School Board for designing a state license plate, approved by the Legislature this month, to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty – the first in the state.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Analyst Academy Wins National Award
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Florida Law Enforcement Analyst Academy is being recognized by the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts for its significant advancement of intelligence analysis.
Miami-Dade police host crisis intervention training course at FIU
Police cars from all over Miami-Dade County were parked around the University last week, as a special training course took them away from patrolling their dominion and into a classroom.
FBI head: Cyber crime posing enormous challenge
FBI Director James Comey says law enforcement faces an “enormous challenge” in stopping the type of cyber threat represented by the Justice Department’s recent computer spying case against five Chinese military officers.
Al Jazeera America to air series that explores criminal justice system
A woman who says she was jailed after falsely confessing to a crime and a man imprisoned for 20 years for shooting a hole in a wall are just some of the cases explored in a new documentary series that Al Jazeera America hopes will draw viewers to the fledgling news network.
REPORTS
An Introduction to Evidence-Based Practices
From the Justice Research and Statistics Association–The movement toward the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) has been growing in the criminal justice community in recent years. The purpose of this briefing paper is to provide policymakers with an introduction and overview of the key concepts and issues associated with the identification and use of EBPs in criminal justice. The briefing provides a brief history of the evidence-based movement, discusses what is meant by evidence and where evidence comes from, identifies sources for information on EBPs, discusses issues associated with implementing EBPs, and addresses the question of what to do when there is no evidence for a particular program or practice.
Capital Punishment, 2012 – Statistical Tables
From the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics- This report presents characteristics of persons under sentence of death on December 31, 2012, and persons executed in 2012. Tables present state-by-state information on the movement of prisoners into and out of death sentence status during 2012, status of capital statutes, and methods of execution. At year end 2012, 35 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons held 3,033 inmates under sentence of death that was 32 fewer than at yearend 2011. Of prisoners under sentence of death at year end, 56% were white and 42% were black. The 384 Hispanic inmates under sentence of death accounted for 14% of inmates with a known ethnicity. In 2013, 9 states executed 39 inmates, which was four fewer than the number executed in 2012.
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables
U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics–After a peak in the number of inmates confined in county and city jails at midyear 2008 (785,533), the jail population was significantly lower by midyear 2013 (731,208). Males represented at least 86% of the jail population since 2000. The female inmate population increased 10.9% (up 10,000 inmates) between midyear 2010 and 2013, while the male population declined 4.2% (down 27,500 inmates). White inmates accounted for 47% of the total jail population, blacks represented 36%, and Hispanics represented 15%.
Long-Term Competence Restoration
From the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law–While the U. S. Supreme Court’s Jackson v. Indiana decision and most state statutes mandate determinations of incompetent defendants’ restoration probabilities, courts, and forensic clinicians continue to lack empirical evidence to guide these determinations and do not yet have a consensus regarding whether and under what circumstances incompetent defendants are restorable. Approximately two-thirds (n = 52) of the 81 individuals undergoing extended restoration efforts were eventually deemed restored to competence. Older individuals were less likely to be restored and successfully adjudicated, and individuals with more severe charges and greater factual legal understanding were more likely to be restored and adjudicated.
Estimating the Incidence of Rape and Sexual Assault
From the National Research Council of the National Academies–This report examines the problem of the underreporting of rape and sexual assault incidences in the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The first part of the report presents information on the methodology and vehicles currently used to measure rape and sexual assault. The report also examines the survey to determine if the structure contributes to the problem of underreporting of rape and sexual assault. The examination found that the structure of the survey does not lend itself to measuring the low incidence events of rape and sexual assault with the precision needed for policy and research purposes. The survey also has problems with retention of participants over the long-term, leading to inaccurate estimate of these crimes. The wording and place of questions about rape and sexual assault were also found to be problematic, preventing them from being answered correctly, if at all. Based on these and other findings, the report presents a set of ten recommendations for improving reporting of these crimes on national surveys.
The Growth of Incarceration in the United States: Exploring Causes and Consequences
The National Research Council’s Committee on Law and Justice–The U.S. penal population is roughly 2.2 million adults, with nearly 1 out of every 100 adults at any given time in prison or jail. According to the authors, a central question for public policy is whether increasing the incarceration rates affect public safety and, conversely, whether crime rates contributed to the prison growth in the U.S. over the past four decades. The report recommends changes in sentencing policy, prison policy, and social policy to reduce the nation’s reliance on incarceration.
From the RAND Corporation–The federal Bureau of Justice Assistance aims to improve community safety through effective programming throughout the United States. To maximize the impact of its investments, the bureau has an interest in supporting programs that will be sustained beyond initial federal funding. This notion of program sustainability is becoming increasingly important as programs have been challenged to operate with increasingly scarce resources. Using archival documentation and survey methods, this report assesses 231 grantee programs spanning three Bureau of Justice Assistance funding domains (drug courts, human trafficking, and mental health), to identify characteristics associated with sustainability. The authors found evidence of program sustainment in most grantees studied, particularly in sustained funding.
Ten Economic Facts about Crime and Incarceration in the United States
From the Brookings Institution–This policy memo provides ten economic facts highlighting recent trends in crime and incarceration in the U.S. Specifically, it explores the characteristics of criminal offenders and victims, the level of incarceration in the U.S., and evidence on both the fiscal and social implications of current policy on taxpayers and those imprisoned.
FINAL ADOPTED RULES
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission: The following amended Rules from Chapter 11B-18, “Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund” will be effective on May 29, 2014 (to view Rule information, click on the hyperlinks below):
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Regional Training Areas |
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Minimum Requirements for High-Liability and Specialized Instructor Certifications |
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Courses and Requirements for Basic Recruit Training, Advanced, Specialized and Instructor Training Requiring Proficiency Demonstration |
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Student Performance in Commission-approved High-Liability Basic Recruit Training Courses and Instructor Training Courses Requiring Proficiency Demonstration |
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Executive Institute: Amended as part of Chapter 11K-1, entitled “Sheriff Special Qualification Salary,” Rule 11K-1.003, entitled “Policy” details the initial qualification for a sheriff to receive salary supplement. Effective May 29, 2014.
REGULATORY HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
May 29
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Florida Department of Management Services Division of Communications
The Florida Department of Management Services announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, May 29, 2014, 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: CCOC – Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Room152, Tallahassee, FL 32399
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Joint Task Force of the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System will meet together to discuss matters pertaining to the System.
A copy of the agenda will be made available closer to the meeting date at http://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/telecommunications/public_safety_bureau/radio_communications/state_law_enforcement_radio/current_joint_task_force_meeting.
For more information, you may contact: Debi Smith at (850)922-7435 or debi.smith@dms.myflorida.com.
May 29
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Florida Department of Legal Affairs Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs
The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: May 29, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida, toll-free dial-in number: 1(888)670-3525, conference code: 6970475836, telephone: (850)414-3369
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Council shall make a systematic study of the conditions affecting black men and boys, including, but not limited to, homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rate, poverty, violence, drug abuse, death rates, disparate annual income levels, school performance in all grade levels including postsecondary levels, and health issues.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: http://www.cssbmb.com.
May 30
Florida Department of Legal Affairs Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs
The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: May 30, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel, 225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, telephone: (850)414-3369
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Panel discussion based on the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys strategic plan.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: http://www.cssbmb.com.
June 17
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: June 17, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Valencia Community College, Criminal Justice Institute Auditorium, Room 100, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando, Florida 32825
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The above meeting will be held to determine whether or not probable cause exists to pursue disciplinary action against the certification of sworn correctional, law enforcement, or correctional probation officers.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Lori Morea at (850)410-8625 or email at lorimorea@fdle.state.fl.us.
UPCOMING FLORIDA POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Sunday, June 29
62nd Annual FPCA Summer Training Conference
Boca Raton Resort & Club 501 East Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33432
Tentative Conference Agenda Attendee Information Attendee Registration Exhibitor Registration Exhibitor Information Exhibitor Rules Booth Layout
July 9
Crisis Communication Boot Camp
Orlando PD Training Center 100 Andes Avenue Orlando, FL 32807 Details Register
August 18-22
Advanced Law Enforcement Executives Seminar
The Florida Hotel 1500 Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL Information coming soon!
September 22-26
Future Law Enforcement Executives Seminar
The Florida Hotel 1500 Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL
October 25
IACP Annual Conference
121st Annual Conference Orlando, FL Book a room in the FPCA room block Conference Information