Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending October 4, 2013
Oct 8, 2013
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 4, 2013.
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
Federal Reserve Board Issues Redesigned $100 Note
The Federal Reserve on Tuesday began supplying financial institutions with a redesigned $100 note that incorporates new security features to deter counterfeiters and help businesses and consumers tell whether a note is genuine.
Bipartisan Stand Your Ground Bill Now Moving in Legislature
Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith (D-Ft. Lauderdale) on Tuesday applauded bi-partisan compromise legislation moving through the Senate intended to fix fatal flaws in Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law.
Local Police Gear Up To Enforce Florida’s New Texting While Driving Ban
As Florida’s texting while driving ban goes into effect, local police officers are still figuring out the best way to enforce the new law.
Florida Reinstates A Drug Conviction Based On A Dog’s Testimony
You may recall Clayton Harris as the man Florida’s attorney general called “a walking drug lab” in the process of urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a search of his pickup truck based on an alert by a drug-detecting dog.
Central Florida Police Department Lawsuits Focus on Hispanic Discrimination Against Whites
The question of whether white officers are the targets of discrimination by a new Hispanic police chief started more than a year ago.
Marco Island Police chief defends policy on traffic stops, staff size, number of patrol vehicles
On behalf of the Marco Island Police Department I would like to thank all those citizens who have been writing to us directly, as well as to City Council, expressing your opinions about the service we perform.
South Florida Police Depts. To Receive Grant Money To Hire Officers
The Miami-Dade Public Schools Police Department and the Miami Gardens Police Department are just two of the 11 South Florida police departments who will receive federal money to hire more police officers.
Florida Officer Shatters Window During Traffic Stop
What would have been a traffic citation turned into several felony charges when a University of Central Florida student refused to roll her window down.
Florida Sheriffs Association: Florida keeps law enforcement retirement funds strong
Last month, the Florida State Board of Administration released an encouraging financial update on Florida’s retirement plan for Florida deputies, law enforcement and correctional professionals, as well as state workers.
Titusville names new police chief: John Lau
John Lau has been named Chief of Titusville Police Department. He has been serving as the interim chief since August 2012 after the retirement of Anthony C. Bollinger, according to police.
West Melbourne’s police chief gets high marks
One year after he was hired to turn around the West Melbourne Police Department, Chief Richard Wiley is faring favorably among city council members.
Boynton police department re-accredited
The Boynton Beach Police Department has met the state requirements for another three years of service. This month, the police department met the state’s public safety standards and was awarded re-accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
Delray Beach Police Department receives re-accreditation
Delray Beach‘s Police Department has been awarded accreditation again. Accreditation status lasts three years and is awarded to law enforcement agencies that exemplify the highest level of professionalism.
Palm Bay promotes new leadership in police ranks
Shiny new badges and fresh stars or bars pinned to their black uniforms, two longtime Palm Bay police officers were sworn in to the top ranks tonight.
Hillsboro Beach Police to undergo accreditation review
The posh town of Hillsboro Beach (pop. 1,890), whose homeowners include financial adviser Suze Orman and auto magnate Rick Case, will have an opportunity to comment on the performance of their police department in November when an accreditation team arrives.
Ocala Police Department Seeks Re-Accreditation
The Ocala Police Department is undergoing an assessment by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation to attain state level re-accreditation.
Boynton officers to get training to deal with stress
Boynton Beach officials have agreed to give the city’s police officers a little emotional coaching to deal with the daily stresses of fighting crime.
Fort Myers Police Department out to prevent truancy
Re: “Truancy problem has broad national consequences,” Stacy Gromatski, Sept. 26. Ms. Gromatski made some excellent points about the implications that involve truant youth. Truancy is the first step that indicates a potential for future criminal activity. The issue is one the Fort Myers Police Department is proactively trying to prevent.
University of Florida Police give more referrals, arrest less, report says
More students are being given referrals rather than arrests, according to the University Police’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report released Tuesday.
Police officer checks zero in on juvenile offenders
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is shifting its focus: Getting offenders out of detention and putting a priority on prevention and alternative programs.
Auction site dishes deals for police lost and found
Think possession is nine-tenths of the law? Think again. Florida law is clear: Finding something doesn’t mean you’re entitled to keep it. But as with any rule, there are caveats that enable finders to be keepers.
High school students receive police-work lessons in Coral Springs
On this day, students aspiring to be lawyers or police officers are learning to stand at attention at J.P. Taravella High School.
REPORTS
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics: Requests for Police Assistance, 2011
An estimated one in eight U.S. residents age 16 or older, or 31.4 million persons, requested assistance from police at least once, most commonly to report a crime, suspicious activity, or neighborhood disturbance. About 85% of persons who requested police assistance were satisfied with the police response. No statistical differences were found between the percentage of Hispanics (86%), blacks (85%), and whites (83%) who reported a crime or neighborhood disturbance and felt the police were helpful. About 9 in 10 persons who requested police assistance reported that they were just as likely or more likely to contact the police again for a similar problem.
Relatively more black drivers (13%) than white (10%) and Hispanic (10%) drivers were pulled over in a traffic stop during their most recent contact with police. There were no statistical differences in the race or Hispanic origin of persons involved in street stops. Drivers pulled over by an officer of the same race or ethnicity were more likely (83%) than drivers pulled over by an officer of a different race or ethnicity (74%) to believe that the reason for the traffic stop was legitimate. White drivers were both ticketed and searched at lower rates than black and Hispanic drivers. About 1% of drivers pulled over in traffic stops had physical force used against them by police. Of these drivers, 55% believed the police behaved properly during the stop
There are not enough resources to serve adults on probation or leaving jail or prison and attempting to serve everyone would be ineffective. In addition, some individuals require intensive services and programming, while others perform better with less interventions and supervision. This white paper can help policymakers, system administrators, and practitioners collaboratively determine whether resources are focused on the right people and the right interventions.
Federal Bureau of Investigation: Crime in the United States, 2012
In 2012, an estimated 1,214,462 violent crimes occurred nationwide, an increase of 0.7% from the 2011 estimate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population grew by 0.7% over that same time period. There were an estimated 386.9 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in 2012, a rate that remained virtually unchanged when compared to the 2011 estimated rate. When considering five- and ten-year trends, the 2012 estimated violent crime total was 12.9% below the 2008 level and 12.2% the 2003 level. Aggravated assaults accounted for 62.6% of violent crimes reported to law enforcement in 2012. Robbery offenses accounted for 29.2% of violent crime offenses; rape accounted for 6.9%; and murder accounted for 1.2%. Information collected regarding types of weapons used in violent crime showed that firearms were used in 69.3% of the nation’s murders, 41.0% of robberies, and 21.8% of aggravated assaults.
This report presents the current state of the research regarding desistance from gang membership. Providing a synthesis of the current state of knowledge about gang-joining, the report is designed to assist practitioners and policymakers make evidence-based decisions about gang-prevention programs and strategies.
National Drug Court Institute: The Beat — A Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide to Drug Courts
This in-depth, self-paced course is designed to educate law enforcement officers on drug court programs and the role law enforcement plays on the drug court team. The web-course provides an overview of the core knowledge, skills and information necessary to effectively monitor, supervise and participate on a drug court team. Course modules focus on how to effectively respond to individuals with mental health and trauma and to educate users on “why people can’t stop using drugs”. Each unit contains a video segment accompanying a PowerPoint presentation and a self-assessment exercise addressing unit competencies.
National Academy of Sciences: Health and Incarceration — A Workshop Summary
Inmates present an array of poor health conditions, including mental illness, addiction, and chronic disease. While incarcerated, they can face additional health challenges. The situation of prisoners has a public health impact on their families and communities, both while they are incarcerated and after their release. Upon release, these individuals’ health needs continue, although their access to care can be interrupted or limited. This report reviews what is known about the health of incarcerated individuals, the healthcare they receive, and effects of incarceration on public health and identifies opportunities to improve healthcare for these populations.
This research brief examines long-term trends and recent changes in states’ criminal justice policies. From 1980 to 2012, the number of inmates under state jurisdiction has gone from 305,000 to 1.35 million. Growth in the prison population has necessitated an expansion of prison system facilities, the state employee workforce and resources for other needs, such as inmate health care. State spending for corrections reached $52.4 billion in Fiscal Year 2012 and has exceeded 7.0% of overall general fund expenditures every year since Fiscal Year 2008.
LAW ENFORCEMENT BILLS FILED FOR 2014
Senate
| SB 122 |
Self-defense | Smith | 10/8/2013 S Original bill laid on Table, refer to combined CS/SB 130 | |
| SB 130 | Use of Deadly Force | Simmons | 10/8/2013 S Remaining combined CS references: Criminal Justice; Community Affairs; Rules | |
| SB 132 | Specialty License Plates | Latvala | 9/30/2013 S On Committee agenda– Transportation, 10/09/13, 4:00 pm, 37 Senate Office Building | |
| SB 144 | Traffic Infraction Detectors | Brandes | 9/25/2013 S Referred to Transportation; Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Appropriations | |
| SB 190 | False Personation | Braynon | 10/8/2013 S Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Appropriations |
House
| HB 33 |
Self-Defense | Antone | 10/7/2013 H Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee | |
| HB 41 |
Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame | Campbell | 10/7/2013 H Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee | |
| HB 65 | Specialty License Plates/Fallen Law Enforcement Officers | Hooper | 10/7/2013 H Referred to Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee; Economic Affairs Committee | |
| HB 117 | Public Retirement Plans | Ray | 10/1/2013 H Filed |
REGULATORY ACTION
Final Adopted Rules
Florida Department of Corrections
Rule 33-602.230: Institution Visits and Tours and Inmate or Probationer Presentations and Programs for the Public
Effective October 22, 2013, the purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to disallow people under the age of 18 from entering areas that are not common assembly areas during their tours and eliminating inmate presenters from the tours.
Rule 33-603.411 Warrants for Retaking Offenders
Effective October 20, 2013, the Rule provides that when an offender escapes from custody or absconds from a rehabilitative community re-entry program prior to satisfaction of the sentence or combined sentences, or if it is determined that an offender was released in error, or if it is subsequently determined that the offender was statutorily ineligible for release, the Secretary of the Department or the Secretary’s designated representative shall issue a warrant for retaking such offender into custody to serve the remainder of such sentence or combined sentences.
Proposed Rules
Florida Department of Corrections
Rule 33-601.314: Rules of Prohibited Conduct and Penalties for Infractions
The purpose and effect of the proposed Rule is to comply with Section 817.535, Florida Statutes, which allows for inmates to be disciplined if they are found by the court to have filed or directed a filer to file, with the intent to defraud or harass another, any instrument containing a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation that purports to affect an owner’s interest in the property described in the instrument.
To view the Notice, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 12
Media Relations Training for Law Enforcement – 3 days in 1! The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), in cooperation with the Jupiter Police Department, the Orlando Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, are pleased to announce this exceptional media training opportunity! Regional sessions will be held November 12 (Jupiter), November 13 (Orlando) and November 14 (Tallahassee). Three days of basic, intermediate and advanced media relations training presented in a single day! This fast-paced class is jam-packed with the essential strategies and tactics, skills and techniques that will help you WIN WITH THE MEDIA! It is practical training, not theoretical: Take what you learn and put it to work for you on the street right away!
November 14
Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (“CJSTC”) Region XII Training Council. 8:35 a.m. Agenda includes Florida Department of Law Enforcement/CJSTC updates. Palm Beach State College/Criminal Justice Institute Assessment Center Updates; Region XII budget approval and any other business. West Palm Beach Police Department Community Room, 600 Banyan Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida. To view the meeting notice, click here.
January 12, 2014
2014 Mid-Winter Training Conference & Exposition The Florida Police Chiefs Association’s 2014 Mid-Winter Training Conference and Exposition will be held January 12 – 14, 2014 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 and you are cordially invited to attend. Please make your plans now to join us for this outstanding event! To make your reservations please contact the hotel directly at (800) 204-7234, be sure to mention you are with the Florida Police Chiefs Association to secure your special rate which includes self-parking at the hotel. Click here for driving directions.