Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending April 5
Apr 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 April 5, 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
Internet sweepstakes cafe ban passes Florida Senate, heads to Governor Scott
The Senate voted 36-4 on HB 155 to ban Internet sweepstakes cafes. The bill has already passed the House and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Florida background checks for gun purchases nears 300,000 first three months of 2013
South Florida gun store owners say they’ve never seen anything like it – people flocking to their shops for firearms and ammunition.
IRS expands ID theft refund access for police
The Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday it will expand a pilot program designed to help law enforcement agencies investigate rampant tax refund fraud. The pilot started in Florida and eight other states.
Facial recognition approved for law enforcement in Oviedo
Local police forces in Florida are looking to start using facial recognition software to identify suspected criminals.
Law enforcement making use of red light cameras
While politicians quibble over red-light cameras, one group uniformly supports the high-tech surveillance systems: detectives pursuing people suspected of crimes worse than traffic infractions.
Pinellas sheriff proposes consolidated dispatch system
If you dial 911 in Pinellas County, a person answers your call in the basement of a building in downtown Clearwater, and, if a crime is involved, transfers your call to your local law enforcement agency, often many miles away.
Bills rise, bills fall as Legislature passes session midpoint
A legislative session moves like a roller coaster — chugging slowly to a peak in its first month and then crashing to a dizzying finish that leaves everyone glad it’s over.
Florida Governor Rick Scott signs first new law of 2013
Underscoring the importance of foreign tourism to Florida’s economy, Governor Rick Scott chose a bill aimed at patching things up with Canada to become Florida’s first new law of the 2013 legislative session on Tuesday.
Pinellas sheriff says civil liberties bill would protect drug dealers, pedophiles
When a Florida sheriff sternly accuses state legislators of protecting drug dealers and child pornographers, it has a way of getting people’s attention.
Two Miami-area members express frustration that there has been little movement with bills that would restrict the “stand your ground” law.
Opinion: Public defenders are committed to justice in Florida
March 18 marked a special anniversary for those of us known as “public defenders,” especially those of us in Florida.
The Florida Current’s Policy Note: Drone Aircraft
The Senate version of a pair of bills that would restrict the use of drone aircraft by local and state law enforcement agencies was approved on second reading by the Senate on April 4.
The Florida Current’s Policy Note: Military Funeral Protests
The Senate approves HB 15 by Reps. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, and Pat Rooney, R-West Palm Beach, to stop loud protests at funerals — such as services for military members killed in Afghanistan.
New re-entry prison aims to improve inmates’ chances outside
Top officials of Florida’s prison system toured their $17 million new re-entry center Tuesday and called it the next big innovation for getting convicted felons ready to return to — and stay — in free society.
The Florida Current’s Policy Note: Texting While Driving
Florida is one of five states without a law against using cell phones or sending text messages while driving.
New legislator laments likely failure of medical marijuana bill
Representative Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, said Florida should start preparing now for licensing, regulating and taxing medical marijuana because, she predicted, that sooner or later legislation will be approved.
New police chief in Trayon Martin town
A new era for the Sanford Police Department began Monday as Cecil Smith is sworn in as police chief.
Police chief finalist for chamber award
Pinellas Park Police Department’s Chief Dorene Thomas has been named one of three finalists for the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Woman of the Year Award (for a business with more than 50 employees).
Gideon turns 50: Decision provided justice for all
March 18, 2013, marked a special anniversary for those of us known as public defenders, especially those of us in Florida.
“Massive” Florida Food Stamp Scam Uncovered, Two Arrests Made
A Florida food stamp scam has been uncovered, and a father and son have been arrested for allegedly purchasing EBT cards at a discount to their redeemable value and then using the benefits funds to stock store shelves.
REPORTS
Urban Institute: Addressing Violence and Disorder around Alcohol Outlets
Safer drinking environments can be fostered by training bouncers in conflict resolution, ensuring bar design does not create overcrowding, and enforcing laws restricting service to intoxicated persons aggressively. Building partnerships with local businesses and neighborhood groups creates public support both for setting bar safety standards and for closing bars that are chronically problematic.
An estimated 39,100 assisted living settings exist in the U.S. with about 971,900 beds that provide services to 733,300 persons every day. Elders living in these settings may be particularly vulnerable to abuse because many suffer from cognitive impairment, behavioral abnormalities, or physical limitations – factors that have been reported as risk factors associated with abuse. Based on a review of 12,555 survey respondents from assisted living facilities, resident abuse by staff is relatively uncommon. However, in some areas (such as humiliating remarks) substantial improvements in the rates could be made. Resident-resident abuse is more common than staff abuse. In both cases (staff abuse and resident-to-resident abuse), verbal abuse and psychological abuse were reported most often.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
May 2
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Police Board announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday May 2, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: An emergency meeting was held by the FDLE Criminal Justice Professionalism Program’s Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute (FCJEI) Policy Board to discuss tuition increases for FCJEI courses, to aid in increasing the revenue for the diminishing funds (due to the economy) in the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund, which is the major funding source for the Criminal Justice Professionalism Program. In addition, the FCJEI held election of a new chairperson of the policy board, provided updates to FCJEI Policy Board members on all FCJEI courses, discussed creating a consistent instructor fee structure to include online training initiatives, and provided an update on the status of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.
The FCJEI agreed to increase the tuition fees for the FCJEI leadership courses; however, the policy board decided to discuss the tuition increases with Florida Sheriff’s Association and Florida Police Chief’s Association prior to moving forward with the fee increases. The FCJEI Policy Board advised that further assessment of instructor fees would be conducted prior to making a final decision. The FCJEI Policy Board elected Punta Gorda, Chief of Police Albert “Butch” Arenal, Chairperson of the Police Board and approved the meeting minutes from June 10, 2010, FCJEI Policy Board Meeting.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Kristi Gordon, Bureau Chief, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, (850)410-7373, email: kristigordon@fdle.state.fl.us. For more information, you may contact: Kristi Gordon, Bureau Chief, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, (850)410-7373 or email: kristigordon@fdle.state.fl.us.
REGULATORY UPDATE
Announcement by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Inspector General
Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Team Invites Public Comments
A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive April 17, 2013, to examine all aspects of the Office of Inspector General’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The Office of Inspector General has to comply with approximately 42 standards in order to receive accredited status.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards is available through the Office of Inspector General in Tallahassee at (850)245-1360.
For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the FDACS Office of Inspector General’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write:
CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida 32302, or email to info@flaccreditation.org.