Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending May 4, 2012
May 7, 2012
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 4, 2012. 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.
NEWS
Florida task force on self-defense laws starts work
A new task force created by Governor Rick Scott to look at Florida’s controversial self-defense laws spent its first meeting debating where to meet, what to do, and whether or not change is even needed.
Former Appleton chief to lead Florida police involved in Trayvon Martin case
A former Appleton police chief was appointed Tuesday to serve as interim chief in the Florida city at the center of the Trayvon Martin shooting case.
Lawmakers and lawyers clamored to join the task force set up by Governor Rick Scott to examine Florida’s justifiable homicide laws after Trayvon Martin’s shooting death.
Feds Arrest About 100 Medicare Fraud Suspects In South Florida, Nationwide
Medicare loses tens of billions of dollars a year because of criminal fraud, along with waste and abuse, experts say.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Announces Lowest Crime Rate in 41 Years
Florida’s statewide crime rate dropped 0.8 percent in 2011 compared to 2010.
Blog: Justices push back against call for Florida Department of Law Enforcement probe
With Governor Rick Scott still mulling a lawmaker’s request for a law enforcement investigation, supporters of three Florida Supreme Court justices said Thursday no laws were broken when court staff helped justices file qualifying papers with elections officials.
Republican-leaning areas in states vital to President Barack Obama’s re-election prospects are drawing top-tier Democratic congressional candidates who, even if they lose, could help turn out the vote and boost Obama’s chances of winning a second term.
Questions surround hiring of Sarasota airport police chief
Anonymous graffiti recently appeared in the squad room of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Police Department: “Such a small stage, so much drama.”
Police chiefs focus on disparities in gun violence
In a single week last April, 3 people were killed with guns in Philadelphia, 14 more were shot and wounded, 68 robberies were carried out at gunpoint and a total of 144 crimes involving firearms were reported.
West Melbourne fires police chief
The West Melbourne City Council fired its long-time police chief, saying he acted improperly by allowing a former police commander to retire on a medical disability instead of facing arrest or discipline for stealing pain pills.
Arkansas police chief badly hurt in Florida accident
Authorities say the police chief of Lowell has been critically injured in a motorcycle accident in northwestern Florida.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers $5,000 reward for vandal who slashed agent’s tires
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Friday offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever vandalized the truck of a high-ranking agency supervisor at his home Thursday.
REPORTS
U.S. Department of Justice: Jail Inmates at Midyear 2011 – Statistical Tables
From June 2010 to June 2011, the total number of persons confined in county and city jails declined by 1.8 percent.
Considerable efforts have been made during the last generation to encourage children and their families to report victimization to authorities.
U.S. Department of Justice: Highlights of the 2010 National Youth Gang Survey
Nationally, violent crime and property crime rates have declined dramatically over the past decade.
MEETINGS
May 9
Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council: The next Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Headquarters located at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida.
May 7-10
Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission: Hilton Naples Florida Hotel, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34103
May 18
Cause Determination Hearings: 10 a.m. Click to view the Agenda. Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34474
July 10-12
2012 Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Annual Training Symposium: Sawgrass Marriott, 1000 PGA TOUR Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082. Toll-Free: 1-800-457-4653
Various
- Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute
- State Officer Certification Exam Review Schedule (click here for 2012 dates)
- Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (SLEDS)
- Criminal Justice Standards Training Commission, Officer Certification and Officer Discipline Workshops