Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending April 26, 2013
Apr 29, 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 April 26, 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
Florida Governor Rick Scott signs law restricting drones
A new Florida law restricts police use of drones within the state’s borders.
Florida cops hope for big edge with tiny ID dots
Amelia Pignatelli won’t soon forget the pain of walking into her home and finding her jewelry box opened, family heirlooms missing and much of what was left behind strewn across the floor.
Jury awards $89,000 verdict against Orlando Police Department
A federal jury on Thursday awarded a Central Florida woman $89,000 in damages in a civil rights case she filed against the Orlando Police Department stemming from a wrongful arrest several years ago.
Tampa to build shooting range for police training
Officials in Tampa are planning to build a $3.5 million shooting range for police training.
NBC2 Investigates: Gangs in Southwest Florida
The City of Fort Myers has been plagued with violence and murder. NBC2 Investigator Dave Elias dug deeper and found that drugs, crime and gangs are the common elements between those killings.
Miramar plans new police headquarters facility
The Miramar Police Department will be staying in its temporary home for at least two more years.
Legoland Florida: Police, Fire and EMS Appreciation Days set for May
Legoland Florida will give police officers, firefighters and EMS employees single-day admission free to the Winter Haven theme park throughout May.
Florida Cops Named Best Dressed in North America
You may not see them on the runway during Fashion Week in New York City, but make no mistake: Florida’s police officers know how to work it.
Okaloosa’s Airports Police Department has come a long way in a year
Police Officer Chris Fordham knows most days he won’t chase criminals or dismantle bombs. He says his primary job involves helping lost travelers and loading baggage into vehicles.
New York Times: Teaching the Lessons Learned in War, to Thwart Attackers at Home
The bomb-disposal technicians huddled with the fire chief and the Transportation Security Administration supervisor on the tarmac of Northwest Florida Regional Airport. The chief and the supervisor told the technicians that luggage screeners thought they had spotted two bombs in suitcases belonging to passengers on a departing plane.
REPORTS
Since 2011, GAO has identified 11 areas across the Department of Homeland Security where fragmentation, overlap, or potential duplication exists and 13 areas of opportunity for cost savings or enhanced revenue collections.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy and federal agencies have not made progress toward achieving most of the goals articulated in the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, but are reported to be on track to implement most Strategy action items intended to support these goals.
Although states faced challenges and delays in the past, states have made significant progress implementing wireless Enhanced 911 since 2003.
Police vehicles burn a great deal of fuel while continuously patrolling. For example, fuel for the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department marked and unmarked patrol vehicles cost $3.7 million in 2011. Various approaches have been proven to significantly reduce the amount of fuel used and its cost. Hybrid vehicles typically get two-three times higher mileage per gallon than conventional vehicles and have proven viable for policing. The use of hybrids instead of conventional patrol cars can save about $4,300 per year per vehicle in operating costs, and about $21,500 over the life of each vehicle, after the higher initial cost of a hybrid (typically an extra $3,000-4,000) is deducted from the savings. Additionally, computers in vehicles that reduce trips back to stations, fuel-saving driving techniques (such as reducing idling), good vehicle maintenance (such as maintaining proper tire pressures), use of on-line reporting, and other strategies such as community policing that require fewer vehicle trips also can reduce fuel consumption.
MEETINGS
June 16-19
The Florida Police Chiefs Association is holding its 61st Annual Summer Training Conference and Exposition, June 16 – 19, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. For more information, click here.
August 19-23
The Florida Police Chiefs Association, in cooperation with the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, has scheduled an Advanced Future Law Enforcement Executives Seminar from August 19 – 23, 2013, at the Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Florida. This training is structured as a sequel course for graduates of the FPCA/FCJEI’s Future LE Executives Seminar or for those who have been in a command position for three or more years. For more information, click here.
September 16-20
The Florida Police Chiefs Association, in cooperation with the Florida Criminal Justice Institute, has scheduled a Future Law Enforcement Executives Seminar from September 16 – 20, 2013, at the Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista, 8100 Lake Street in Orlando, Florida. For more information, click here.