Florida Police Chiefs Association Update–Week of December 26, 2011
Dec 27, 2011
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 of December 19, 2011. 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
FBI: Violent and property crime down in early 2011
An FBI report out Monday said violent crimes reported in the first half of 2011 were down 6.4% compared to the first six months of 2010. The number of property crimes, including burglary, larceny and vehicle theft, decreased 3.7%.
Number of police officers killed in line of duty spikes in 2011
The number of police officers who have died in the line of duty in 2011 has increased 14 percent nationwide from last year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Gov. Scott investigates panel that polices the police
Lawyers for Gov. Rick Scott are in the process of investigating “illegal appointments” to a state panel that certifies and disciplines law enforcement officers, Scott’s press secretary said Tuesday.
The following is a statement from Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey regarding Governor Rick Scott’s budget recommendations
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation unveiled its annual media campaign to educate the public about the dangers of unlicensed activity.
League of Cities Seeks to Roll Back Pension Plans for Police
The Florida League of Cities argues municipalities across Florida could save hundreds of millions of dollars by revamping pension and disabilities benefits that the state requires for law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Florida activists fear potential ‘chaos’ if Supreme Court allows states to bolster immigration laws
A change in U.S. policy recently spared Port St. Lucie immigration activist Manuel Guerra from deportation to Mexico.
New Port Richey names new police chief
The city formally announced it during Tuesday night’s regular council meeting: Lt. James Steffens is now officially New Port Richey Police Chief.
Orosa Sworn In As Miami Police Chief
Miami’s new police chief was officially sworn in during a Tuesday morning ceremony.
North Miami hires new police chief
Marc Elias Jr. will remain at the helm of the North Miami police department as the new police chief.
Greg Graham headed back from Cedar Rapids to lead Ocala Police Department
Police Chief Greg Graham – who took over command of the Police Department here right before the June 2008 flood – is expected to return from where he came, the Ocala, Fla., Police Department, Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said Friday.
REPORTS
This report presents data on justice expenditures and employment in 5-year increments from 1982 to 2007. Data tables show federal, state and local government expenditures and employment for corrections, police protection and judicial and legal services. In 2007, federal, state and local governments spent $228 billion and employed 2.5 million persons for police protection, corrections and judicial and legal services. Local police protection represented the largest share of both total justice expenditures (32%) and employment (36%), followed by state corrections (19% of expenditures and employment).
Florida Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research
The Office of Economic and Demographic Research (“EDR”) is a research arm of the Legislature principally concerned with forecasting economic and social trends that affect policy making, revenues, and appropriations.
EDR Criminal Justice Reports and Papers from December 14:
- Results of the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference
- Results of the Criminal Justice Impact Conference
- Reports
- Presentations
- Related Sites
- Special Research Projects
- Area Profiles
Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator: Expansion Drug Courts Serving More Prison-Bound Offenders, but Will Not Fully Expend Federal Funds
The 2009 Florida Legislature established eight post-adjudicatory drug courts to divert drug-addicted, prison-bound offenders to treatment, thereby saving state prison dollars. As of September 30, 2011, 1,190 offenders had been admitted to the program. Despite actions by the 2011 Legislature, the Office of the State Courts Administrator reports that the courts are not likely to serve enough offenders to expend all federal grant funds before they expire in March 2013. While the number of prison-bound offenders served has continued to increase, only two of the eight expansion drug courts have had a majority of their participants facing mandatory prison sentences. Current data indicates that Florida expansion drug court completion rates for early program participants may slightly exceed the completion rates of other post-adjudicatory drug courts.
RECENT BILLS FILED
SB 782 Relating to the Florida Evidence Code by Senator Mike Bennett
SB 782 provides that certain specified spontaneous statements relating to a call to an emergency operations center, such as police, fire, or emergency rescue personnel is admissible as evidence if the call is for the immediate dispatch of personnel for emergency purposes. The bill also provides that an excited utterance made by a victim to an emergency responder, including police, fire, or emergency personnel, is admissible if the victim or witness is under the stress or excitement of the event while the statement is being made. A statement not specifically covered by any other hearsay exception, but having equivalent circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness, would not excluded by the hearsay rule if the court determines that the interests of justice will be best served by admitting the statement into evidence. Effective Date: July 1, 2012
SB 644 Relating to Sealing and Destroying Certain Criminal Records by Senator Gary Siplin
SB 644 would create a procedure by which a person may seek a court order to seal and destroy an arrest record if the person is determined to be factually innocent of any charge arising out of the arrest. It would also require that the appropriate law enforcement agency seal and destroy the arrest record under certain circumstances, as well as that a petition to destroy an arrest record is deemed denied if the appropriate law enforcement agency or state attorney rejects it or does not respond within certain period after receipt of the petition. Under the provisions of SB 644, a petition for relief would have to be heard within a certain time. Further, courts, under certain circumstances, would have to grant relief to a petitioner in a case in which an accusatory pleading has been filed. Under certain circumstances, a person would be authorized to file for relief if there is no conviction. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement would be required to furnish forms to be used by persons applying for the destruction of their arrest records or for the written declaration that they are factually innocent. Finally, under SB 644, the court would be authorized to open a sealed record in a civil procedure under certain circumstances. Persons who have access to the sealed arrest records would be limited. Effective Date: July 1, 2012
MEETINGS
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Medicaid and Public Assistance Fraud Strike Force Meetings
- Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board Meeting
- Florida Domestic Security Oversight Council Meeting
- Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council Meetings
- Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Meetings
- C-SAFE Seminars
- Medical Examiner’s Commission Meeting Schedule
- Criminal Justice Information Services Annual Training Symposium
- 2011 Probable Cause Determination Hearings
- Upcoming Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Training
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