Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending October 12, 2012
Oct 12, 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 October 12, 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
Feds charge 40 in ID theft-tax fraud takedown in South Florida
Federal authorities Wednesday escalated their assault on the double-barreled crime of identity theft and tax fraud, arresting 30 South Florida suspects – including a Miami Gardens man facing a murder trial – on charges of filing fake returns totaling millions of dollars.
Amendment 5 Would Give Florida Legislature More Control Over High Court
The Florida Legislature would gain greater authority over the state Supreme Court and the rules governing state courts if voters approve constitutional Amendment 5 in the November 6 election.
As Florida bath salts deaths rise, drug enforcers stymied
When Jairious McGhee ran through a busy Tampa intersection screaming rap lyrics, when an officer’s Taser barely slowed him and he fought off medics, when his heart stopped five times and he eventually died, the drug in his body was legal in most states.
Florida Sheriff Launches Legal Battle For Dispatch Control
Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti and county officials are headed to state circuit court to settle their disagreement over who controls a regional police and fire rescue dispatch system for the Broward Sheriff’s Office and 23 Broward cities.
South Florida cracks down on uninsured motorists
Broward Sheriff”s Office Deputy Josh Stambaugh had to drive less than a mile to find three suspected traffic violators.
The politics behind giving ex-cons the vote
There is really no good reason for denying convicted felons the right to vote once they finish their prison sentences and resolve other obstacles to full citizenship, like completion of probation and restitution to victims.
Pinellas law enforcement leaders say gang database guidelines need to be changed
Justin Wiley probably wasn’t the first person with a clean criminal record targeted by a Pinellas County law enforcement officer because he was labeled a gang member.
Leaders, police gather for child abuse prevention training in Rockledge
Brevard’s top child services officials gathered with law enforcement officers this morning to discuss how to better protect and help the county’s children and families.
Letter to the Editor: New West Melbourne police chief makes much-needed changes
It’s a fresh new day at the West Melbourne Police Department as our new chief, Richard Wiley, has taken over and hit the ground running.
Texas latest state refusing to join sex-offender registry
Texas is one of five states to shun a national sex offender registry created in 2006, citing cost concerns.
Panama City Beach deputies trade handcuffs for burgers Saturday
Deputies will trade in their handcuffs and badges for gourmet burgers and aprons at Red Robin restaurants in Florida as part of the national Tip-A-Cop event benefiting Special Olympics.
REPORTS
U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics: Tribal Crime Data Collection Activities, 2012
In 2010, the self-identified American Indian and Alaska Native population totaled 5.2 million, or 1.7% of the estimated 308.7 million people in the United States. Tribally operated law enforcement agencies in Indian country employed 3,043 full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel in 2008. From 2008 to 2010, tribal law enforcement agencies across the U.S. reported about 72,000 violent and property crimes. Suspects investigated for violent offenses in Indian country totaled 23% of all federal investigations for violent offenses in Fiscal Year 2010. Advances in the quality and quantity of tribal crime data created additional funding opportunities for American Indian tribes. As a result of improved reporting and the disaggregation of crime data about individual tribes, the annual Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Allocations to American Indian tribal governments more than tripled from 2008 to 2011 to over $632,000.
Urban Institute: Examining Growth in the Federal Prison Population, 1998 to 2010
The size of the yearend federal prison population grew by 77% over the 1998-2010 period, from 104,413 offenders who were convicted of federal crimes to an all-time high of 184,809. Drug offenders made up the largest portion of the increase in federal prisoners, followed by weapon, immigration, and non-regulatory public-order offenders. An increase in the length of time to be served by prisoners was the leading contributor to growth, accounting for 58% of the total prison population growth between 1998 and 2010. Longer expected lengths of stay for drug offenders, alone, accounted for one-third of total growth in the prison population. Changes in federal conviction, investigation, and sentencing practices, respectively, also added to the prison population – notably, a higher conviction rate in drug cases and heightened enforcement of immigration and weapon offenses. By contrast, prison population growth during this period was moderated by changes in the rate at which sentenced offenders were admitted to prison and modest declines in the federal prosecution rate.
MEETINGS
Law enforcement meetings and contact information from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
|
October 16-18, 2012 |
Cape Coral, FL |
||
|
October 29-November 1, 2012 |
Sarasota, FL |
||
|
October 30-31, 2012 |
Sarasota, FL |