Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending April 18, 2014
Apr 17, 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 April 18, 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
Florida Senate passes “warning shot” legislation
The Florida Legislature sent Governor Rick Scott a proposed law allowing gun owners to brandish weapons, even fire “warning shots,” to scare off attackers.
Gun-rights advocates in Florida have pushed the issue of gun possession in public to a new-and what law enforcement is calling dangerous-level by adopting legislation that allows the carrying of concealed firearms without a permit during a riot or other declared emergencies.
Pension compromise bill advances in Senate
Lawmakers may have found a solution to the longstanding problem of trying to financially strengthen city retirement plans for police officers and firefighters, while keeping both the cities and unions happy about the resolution.
Teamsters seek “pay parity” raises for prison staff
Correctional officers say they want “equal pay for equal risk” with state police.
U.S. Supreme Court to clarify limits on executing the mentally disabled
Under Florida’s current approach, an inmate must satisfy three separate criteria with clear and convincing evidence to prove that he or she is mentally disabled.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement being sued
When Michelle O’Connell died of a gunshot wound in 2010 — she was dating St.Johns County Sheriffs Office Deputy Banks. Her death was ruled a suicide — but many say he murdered her. Now — her brother is suing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the lead investigator.
A fuzzy Florida law on rolling right turns on red at camera intersections
Since confusion runs rampant over whether Florida statutes allow rolling right turns on red, the issue needs some clarity.
Task force established to fight identity theft
Naples ranks No. 2 in the country for complaints
Identity theft has stealthily become an epidemic in Southwest Florida, local law enforcement officials and fraud experts say.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrests head of online gambling ring
A Naples man arrested last week ran a national gambling ring that circulated hundreds of thousands of dollars and dabbled in violent threats to debtors, according to a state law enforcement warrant.
Police union billboard goes up in Hollywood
It’s not your typical billboard. Who’s behind it?
Francisco tapped as Edgewood police chief
The city of Edgewood has a new police chief.
Law Enforcement Officers Complete Executive Institute
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the graduation today of 34 first-line supervisors from the Florida Leadership Academy. The graduates serve in leadership roles in criminal justice agencies from across the state.
Police carry torch in run to help Florida Special Olympics
The Special Olympics torch was passed from one law enforcement agency to another as runners proceeded from St. Petersburg to Clearwater, ending at Paul B. Stephens Exceptional School. The run has been held in Pinellas County for more than 25 years.
Prison credit card scam netted more than $20,000
An inmate serving time in Polk County and his wife in Orlando transferred more than $20,000 from stolen credit cards into prisoner trust fund accounts, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
This article proposes statutory provisions that would limit the ability of neighborhood watch members to confront suspects, mandate training for those engaged in law enforcement activities, and expand the exclusionary rule to evidence seized illegally by private citizens engaged in law enforcement functions.
Florida, take a fresh look at crime and punishment
America imprisons its citizens at a higher rate than Russia, Venezuela, Cuba and China. And it costs federal taxpayers $8 billion a year to earn this dubious distinction. Florida should conduct a similar review to ensure that the punishments we dole out fit the crimes.
First-Ever Successfully Litigated U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Extradition
Romano Pisciotti, an Italian national, was extradited from Germany on a charge of participating in a conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition by rigging bids, fixing prices and allocating market shares for sales of marine hose sold in the United States and elsewhere, the Department of Justice announced today. This marks the first successfully litigated extradition on an antitrust charge.
REPORTS
Putting a Value on Crime Analysts: Considerations for Law Enforcement Executive
From the Vera Institute of Justice–Crime analysis has become a common feature of U.S. law enforcement agencies. According to a 2008 Police Executive Research Forum survey, 89% of responding agencies reported having staff whose primary or secondary duty was crime analysis, and the number of analysts has likely increased since then. However in light of ongoing budget woes, elected officials are asking law enforcement executives to explain how civilian positions, especially those of crime analysts, contribute to the goals and mission of policing. Law enforcement professionals want to know how they can articulate the value of crime analysts, and whether cost-benefit analysis (CBA) can help demonstrate a return on investment for these positions. To put the bottom line up front: the field has not provided many cost-benefit studies of crime analysts to date. This paper offers guidance for police executives grappling with this issue. The first section gives an overview of the steps involved in CBA and the challenges of using this technique. The second section poses questions about crime analysts that police executives need to answer as part of conducting a CBA. The final section of the paper discusses key considerations when performing a CBA of crime analysts.
Social Media and Police Leadership: Lessons From Boston
From the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice– The Boston Police Department (BPD) has long embraced both community policing and the use of social media. The department put its experience to good and highly visible use in April 2013 during the dramatic, rapidly developing investigation that followed the deadly explosion of two bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. BPD successfully used Twitter to keep the public informed about the status of the investigation, to calm nerves and request assistance, to correct mistaken information reported by the press, and to ask for public restraint in the tweeting of information from police scanners. This demonstrated the level of trust and interaction that a department and a community can attain online.
Youth Internet Safety Survey: Trends in Unwanted Online Experiences and Sexting
From the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention–This report presents results from the Youth Internet Safety Survey, a nationally representative survey of 10- to 17-year-olds, which examines the prevalence of online unwanted only sexual solicitations, harassment and exposure to sexual material. Unwanted sexual solicitations continued to decline from 19% in 2000 to 13% in 2005 and 9% in 2010. Survey results indicate increase in online harassment, however from 6% in 2000 to 9% in 2005 and 11% in 2010.
From the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice–This report presents the rationale, methodology, and findings for the Pathways to Desistance Study, which is a multisite, collaborative study that followed 1,354 serious juvenile offenders from adolescence to young adulthood, in order to identify patterns in how serious adolescent offenders desist from antisocial behavior; determine the role of social context and developmental changes in promoting positive change; and compare the effects of sanctions and interventions in promoting these changes. Findings indicate that desistance from crime has occurred among the youth studied. As a whole, the sample has moved from more frequent and varied crimes to committing crimes less often of a less serious nature. Not all of the offenders with reduced rates of arrest quit offending (Some self-reported continued offending); however, the general pattern was a reduction in both self-reported offending and arrests. Analyses thus far have identified at least two factors that are apparently related to later offending patterns and outcome, i.e., substance use and intra-psychic change (shifts in attitude about offending and the legal system, as well as gains in psychosocial maturity).
From the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance–This document provides an overview of the resources and technology-based locative devices available to assist in helping to prevent persons from becoming lost and in quickly locating a person who is lost. The report also provides a review of the passive identification techniques, public alert options, locating device technology, and current locative products in the field. The information in this report is designed to provide law enforcement, caregivers, families, and the community with improved skills to better deal with the challenges resulting from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Interim Reincarceration Outcomes of Safer Return
From the Urban Institute–Safer Return provided supportive services to 727 individuals returning from state prison to Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood. This interim analysis uses administrative data from the Illinois Department of Corrections to compare one-year reincarceration outcomes of: Safer Return participants, nonparticipants paroled to a comparison neighborhood, and nonparticipants paroled to Garfield Park. Of the three groups, program participants had the lowest reincarceration rate. Statistical analyses find that participants’ did not fare significantly better than nonparticipants paroled to the comparison neighborhood, but they did fare significantly better than Garfield Park nonparticipants. Differences in reincarceration rates were driven largely by differences in technical violations.
FINAL ADOPTED RULE
69A-63.001 Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosives Analysis Requirements and Procedures for Submission of Evidence.
Effective April 13, 2014, evidence will be accepted from public law enforcement agencies and fire service agencies in matters related to criminal investigations. Other evidence is permitted to be accepted from other public agencies in special circumstances, but must be approved by the Bureau Chief. The criteria that will be considered for approval are the urgency of the evidence submitted, the use to which the evidence will be put after analysis, the importance of the evidence, and any other relevant factor bearing on the need for the laboratory to analyze the evidence. To read the complete Rule, click here.
REGULATORY HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
April 23
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Florida Department of Legal Affairs Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs
The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys announces a telephone conference call to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: April 23, 2014, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: Toll-free dial-in number: 1(888)670-3525, conference code: 8470026713
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Council’s focus Group subcommittee will center their attention on discussing and making preparations for a “Day of Dialogue” with educational topics.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: http://www.cssbmb.com.
April 30
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing Florida Department of Law Enforcement Medical Examiners Commission
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA) announces a telephone conference call to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: April 30, 2012, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. As a part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling: (855)237-5206. Telephone comments will be taken by the assessment team and are limited to 10 minutes. The comments must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is scheduled for an on-site assessment that is administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Dean Register, (850)410-7244 or deanregister@fdle.state.fl.us.
April 30
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
The Department of Law Enforcement announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: April 30, 2014, 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach, 3425 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Hotel reservations number: (321)799-4099.
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: To discuss Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute (FCJEI) training statistics and progress for the calendar year of 2013, as well as program initiatives and items for the calendar year of 2014.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Director Kristi Gordon at (850)410-7373 or email: kristigordon@fdle.state.fl.us.
May 8
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Communications
The Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Telecommunications, Standard Operating Procedures and Technical Committees of the Joint Task Force Board announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: May 8, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
PLACE: Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Terry Lee Rhondes Building, Room 242, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: To discuss operational matter to the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Nigel Shepherd, (850)414-5468.
May 9
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing–Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems (CJJIS) Council announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Headquarters, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Various topics related to the criminal justice community. Topics include, but not limited to, the Council’s strategic plan, discussion of the computerized criminal history initiative, biometric identification and other projects occurring with state and national criminal justice agencies.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Rachel Truxell, (850) 410-7116 or racheltruxell@fdle.state.fl.us
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Sunday, June 29 62nd Annual Summer Training Conference Tentative Conference Agenda Attendee Information Attendee Registration Exhibitor Registration Exhibitor Information Exhibitor Rules Booth Layout
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August 18-22 Advanced Law Enforcement Executives Seminar |
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September 22-26 Future Law Enforcement Executives Seminar |