Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending August 31, 2012
Aug 31, 2012
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 August 31, 2012. 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
Police outnumber convention protesters by 4-1 in Tampa
Police outnumbered demonstrators Monday as hundreds took to Tampa’s streets to protest the Republican convention.
Tampa Police give leftover Republican convention lunches to Romneyville homeless camp
Police presence around the Romneyville camp has been tight this week, but today they showed up not for security, but to hand out food.
Florida County Judges Continue to Reject Challenges to Red-Light Safety Camera Law
The latest legal challenges to red-light safety cameras in Florida have been rejected by county judges in both Sarasota and Polk counties.
A 28-year first: Florida’s prison population shrinks
The surest sign of Florida’s plummeting crime rate: For the first time in 28 years, the Sunshine State will have a smaller prison population than the previous year.
Feds spotlight South Florida mental health clinics for Medicare fraud
No area of the country cheats Medicare quite like South Florida.
Local task force sets its sights on Fort Pierce to tackle violent gun crime
The results of Operation Street Peace may shock you as CBS12 reporter Jana Eschbach reports the suspects began toting guns as early as age 12.
Cross training Lee County firefighters as police officers
Some Lee County firefighters are now trained law enforcement officers. They graduated from the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy Thursday night.
Valor Awards Honor Brevard County Public Safety Heroes
Lives saved and crimes solved were among the acts mentioned Thursday night at the Fourth Annual Valor Awards, an event held to honor public safety personnel in Brevard County.
Florida: Website Fights Back Against Ticket Quota
A college professor has turned to the Internet to make her case against ticket quotas in Tampa, Florida.
South Florida’s export: Criminals who travel across country for heists
Central Florida cops report increase in “smash-and-grab” incidents
They are South Florida’s gift to the rest of the state and country: Criminals.
Column: Former Altamonte Springs police chief a good fit in Georgia town
Congratulations to the mayor and city of Canton. It certainly appears they made the right decision when they selected Police Chief Robert C. Merchant Jr. to be in charge of the officers who have the responsibility of keeping the people and property of Canton safe.
Wellington family of slain Broward sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Reyka carries on his legacy
Under a gray sky, cadets assemble for another long day of training at the Institute of Public Safety. Despite intermittent showers, their shoes are shiny black and the crisp laundry creases stand out on their uniform shirts.
The first big decision Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin will make is hiring a replacement for Police Chief Mikel Hollaway, who retires in October after only two years at the helm.
Vince Demasi, new West Palm Beach police chief, believes in transparency, community
The new chief of the West Palm Beach Police Department is a self-described “simple, down to earth guy” that needs to up his golf game.
St. Augustine Police: Report clears all but one officer while police department awaits downsize ax
“Waiting for the next ax to fall” is how one St. Augustine Beach police officer has described the recent controversies and shake-ups that have included state investigations and subsequent retirement of former chief Richard Hedges, as well as a decision by the city commission to reduce the department by 10 officers at some point, leaving five and one Sergeant with assistance from the sheriff’s office to patrol the 1.9 square mile beach community.
Cameras capture criminals and kudos for Lighthouse Point Police
International Police Chiefs group takes notice
Lighthouse Point Police won a coveted award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for the city’s license plate recognition system.
Clermont City Council discusses police probe
Members of Clermont’s City Council heard from two parties Wednesday night regarding a “complete and thorough” investigation into the city’s police department.
Cocoa Police: Antique, unused, illegal weapons pile up at gun buy-back events
Kenneth Stein on Thursday gave away a .22-caliber rifle he got when he was 15 for target shooting, but it instead ended up spending several decades collecting dust in a closet.
Should Only Police Have Right to Self-defense?
Chiefs of police and other law-enforcement personnel have often argued and testified against the passage of “Stand Your Ground” laws that say non-criminals in public places are not required to retreat, but have a right to use deadly force to defend themselves or others from anyone threatening them with death or serious injury.
If you want to be a cop, you’d better think before you ink.
REPORTS
National Insurance Crime Bureau: Hot Wheels–The 10 Most-Stolen Vehicles for 2011
The majority of vehicles on the national list were vehicles with models 10 years or older and pickup trucks. Pickups of all makes were the most stolen vehicles in 23 states, while minivans topped the list in only five. In Florida, the 2006 Ford pickup was the most stolen vehicle, followed by older-model cars, including the 1996 Honda Accord and Nissan Maxima. Thefts of newer cars are on the rise; investigators noted that thieves are becoming savvier in cracking sophisticated key code technology.
Urban Institute: Data-Driven Decision Making for Strategic Justice Reinvestment
Justice reinvestment is a data-driven strategy to identify the drivers of criminal justice system costs and make more efficient use of resources while maintaining public safety. This brief is designed to guide local policymakers in undertaking justice reinvestment by discussing the central role of strategic planning entities in the justice reinvestment process; outlining how these bodies are structured and operated; and providing guidance in establishing or expanding such a collaborative. A case study from one local justice reinvestment site is presented to highlight the recommended process. Additional resources and a “getting started” worksheet are included in an appendix.
MEETINGS
September 6
Region XII Training Council meeting; 8:45 a.m. Agenda includes Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission updates, Palm Beach State College/Criminal Justice Institute Assessment Center Updates and Region XII budget approval. To view the meeting notice, click here.
September 7 and 14
The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys will meet on 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. The Council will meet in Tallahassee on September 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and via teleconference on September 14. To access the September 14 call, dial 888-670-3525 and enter participant code 5652593223.
September 11
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission public meeting to determine whether or not probable cause exists to pursue disciplinary action against the certification of sworn correctional, law enforcement or correctional probation officers. 10:00 a.m. Valencia Community College, Criminal Justice Institute, Auditorium, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando, Florida. To view the complete meeting notice, click here.
September 20-21
Florida Model Jail Standards Review Subcommittee to discuss proposed changes, issues and concerns involving the minimum standards and operations of Florida’s county and municipal jails. The meeting, which runs from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., will be held at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Jail’s Information and Visitation Center at NW 10th Street in Ocala, Florida.
REGULATORY UPDATE
Florida Department of Corrections Notice of Proposed Rule
On August 31, 2012, the Florida Department of Corrections issued a Notice of Proposed Rule for Rule 33-602.210, entitled “Use of Force.” To view the complete Notice and text, click here. The proposed Rule would establish guidelines governing the use of force and/or restraints to protect persons or property, prevent escape, restore order, maintain custody and control, and to enforce Department of Corrections Rules. The amendments provide new definitions; broaden the type of information that should be stated on camera after a use of force; clarify the circumstances under which electronic immobilization devices and specialty munitions may be used; clarify the circumstances under which chemical agents may be used; refine the documentation and procedures, including medical procedures, that should be followed before and after the use of chemical agents; and provide safety provisions concerning the storage and issuance of chemical agents. The amendments are made for the purpose of promoting operational efficiency, updating and responding to changes in law and policy.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Notice of Development of Rulemaking
The Florida Division of Emergency Management, part of the Executive Office of the Governor, published a Notice of Development of Rulemaking for Base Funding for County Emergency Management Agencies’ Emergency Management Competitive Grant and Municipal Competitive Grant Program Rules. The purpose of amending these Rules is to align the base grant eligibility requirement with the statutory language and increase the amount of time counties have to submit requests for a match. To view the Rules and Notice, click here.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission has advised that it has issued an order in regard to a June 26, 2012 petition for a permanent waiver of subsection 11B-27.002(4), F.A.C. (Petitioner originally erroneously requested a waiver of subsection 11B-35.002(2), by Vincent Krestalude. Subsection 11B-27.002(4), F.A.C. requires officers to become employed within four years of beginning basic recruit training. Notice of receipt of the petition was published in the Florida Administrative Weekly Vol. 38, No. 28, on July 13, 2012. On August 9, 2012, at its regularly scheduled business agenda meeting held in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, the Commission found that the Petitioner’s situation is not unique. The Petitioner did not demonstrate that the strict application of the Commission’s rules in this case would violate the principles of fairness. The Petitioner’s four years to become employed expired April 7, 2012, which was over two months before he filed his request for a waiver of subsection 11B-27.002(4), F.A.C. The Commission found that the purposes of the underlying statute (Section 943.1395(1), F.S., that officers meet strict qualification criteria and minimum training requirements) would not be addressed in an alternative method by granting this Rule waiver. The Commission denied the Petitioner’s waiver request because the Petitioner did not request an extension prior to the expiry of his four-year window and the Petitioner was not in the process of being hired by an agency that supported his request.