Florida Police Chiefs’ Association Update: Week Ending June 1, 2012

Jun 4, 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 June 1, 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

 

Florida Governor Rick Scott Quietly Signs Four Bills for Law Enforcement

With copper approaching $4 a pound, law enforcement officials thanked Governor Rick Scott as they attended a semi-private bill-signing ceremony Wednesday that increases the penalties for thieves cashing in on stolen metal.

  • HB 885: Prohibits purchase of specified restricted regulated metals property without certain proof of seller’s ownership.
  • HB 95: Creates “Fallen Heroes Family Tax Relief Act,” which exempts from taxation homestead property of surviving spouse of first responder who dies in the line of duty.
  • HB 947: Makes it a 10-year mandatory sentence for a person previously charged with a felony who is convicted of another crime this time while in the possession of a firearm.
  • SB 278: The 911 Good Samaritan Act, which is designed to reduce the fear of arrest for drug possession by people calling 911 when someone is having a drug overdose.

 

Florida Legislators set to toughen identity theft law

State legislators say they are determined to change the law to make it easier to crack down on tax refund fraud.

 

“Hotspotting” Technology Aiding South Florida Police In Crime Fighting

There is a new way authorities are reducing crime across South Florida. It is called hot spotting, and it’s the latest way police identify a problem and then use what they’ve learned to solve it.

 

Drones could soon be flying in Florida skies

Drones that have killed hundreds, if not thousands, of suspected terrorists in the tribal regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan soon may be patrolling the skies over Florida and the rest of the United States.

 

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport police chief cleared in state review

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has notified airport officials that Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Police Chief Jim Carlino has been cleared of any violations following a brief state probe.


Former Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito asks judges to reinstate him

Attorneys for ousted Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito argued to a three-judge panel Thursday that the city commission had no grounds to fire him.

 

St. Augustine Beach officers who filed complaint against police chief could be fired

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement suspended the use of state and national crime computers by the nine Beach police officers who filed a 70-page report alleging illegal actions by Chief Richard Hedges.

 

Police switch to Smith and Wesson

Three more U.S. law enforcement agencies are transitioning their current on-duty firearms to Smith and Wesson’s Military and Police family of pistols.

 

Charles Hurley, Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Won’t Face Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Investigation

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will not launch an investigation against Miami-Dade Public Schools Public Chief Charles Hurley, whom several officers have accused of sexual harassment and of needlessly Baker Acting children to pad his crime statistics.

Miami street to be renamed after late police sergeant

A section of a Miami street will be named in a special ceremony on Wednesday in honor of late police Sergeant Angel Calzadilla, who died last year at 48 of cystic fibrosis.

 

REPORTS

 

 

MEETINGS

 

June 7

Regional XI Training Council:  8:45 a.m. Clayton Hutchinson Agricultural Center, Exhibit Hall “A”, 559 Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida.

 

July 8 – 11

    60th Annual Florida Police Chiefs Association’s Summer Training Conference & ExpositionHarbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

     

    July 10-12

    2012 Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Annual Training SymposiumSawgrass Marriott, 1000 PGA TOUR Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida  32082.  Toll-Free: 1-800-457-4653

     

    August 20 – 24

      Advanced Law Enforcement Executives Seminar:  Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista, 8100 Lake Street, Orlando, Florida.

       

      Various