Florida Police Chiefs Association Update: Week Ending June 13, 2014
Jun 13, 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 June 13, 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 Supreme Court rules pre-2010 red light cameras were illegal
Red light cameras installed before the Legislature authorized them in 2010 were illegal, the Florida Supreme Court ruled, but drivers who were ticketed under the municipal programs shouldn’t expect to find a refund check in the mail anytime soon.
Florida Supreme Court Upholds “Timely Justice” Law Fast-Tracking Executions
The Florida Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a 2013 law that legislative supporters said would reduce delays in carrying out the death penalty.
Bill Action by Florida Governor Rick Scott–June 13, 2014
Florida Governor Rick Scott signed 94 bills on June 13, 2014.
Critical Mass or critical mess?
As a grassroots movement spreads across South Florida, tensions among cyclists, motorists and police increase.
Taxi industry tells Miami-Dade to jail rogue UberX, Lyft drivers
Just how incensed are taxicab operators at rogue car services Lyft and UberX?
Law strikes “Korean Conflict,” “Vietnam Era” from the books
Governor Rick Scott signed a law Thursday that changes state-law references from “Korean Conflict” to “Korean War,” and the “Vietnam Era” to “Vietnam War.”
University of North Florida Criminology Professor says Times-Union missed the point on pension issue
It wasn’t too long ago in Jacksonville that local “conservative” politicians had a lock on votes from police and firemen.
North Miami appoints new police chief
Leonard Burgess has been appointed as police chief of North Miami, ending a five-month search that included stiff competition within the city’s police force.
Daniel Oates sworn in as Miami Beach police chief
Miami Beach has a new top cop, as Daniel Oates was sworn in as police chief Wednesday before colleagues, commissioners and constituents at Miami Beach City Hall.
Miami police plan to use hundreds of high-tech cameras to fight crime
It’s more Little Sister than Big Brother, but in the next few months Miami police expect to have technology in place to zoom in, identify and follow people enjoying events on Biscayne Boulevard, eating dinner outside in Brickell or just doing their thing in Overtown, Little Haiti and Model City.
Law enforcement cracks down on Move Over law
Florida State Troopers and all local law enforcement are cracking down on drivers. They are catching those who are failing to obey the “Move Over” law which went into law in July 2012, but some drivers are failing to obey.
Law enforcement starts cracking down on crosswalk enforcement
It might sound like Central Florida is a broken record with so much talk about pedestrian safety, but the issue continues to be a top priority for local law enforcement.
After Florida State Rape Case, Police Will Revise Sexual Assault Procedures
The Tallahassee Police Department is working with a respected women’s advocacy group to rewrite its sexual assault complaint policy.
Indiana Police Using Water-Based Chemical From Florida Company to Fight Theft
A northwestern Indiana police department on Tuesday became one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to distribute a theft-deterring chemical distributed by a Florida company that leaves DNA-like “signatures” on property and those who attempt to steal it.
Melbourne police locate missing military M16
In January, Melbourne police staff were counting the rifles to file a report with the state, which oversees inventory procedures for the federal program. At first, two rifles were unaccounted for, but one was later found.
Five great ways to destroy your police career on social media
For those on the hunt for creative way to toss away that great career in law enforcement, being irresponsible and reckless in the use of social media can accomplish the goal.
REPORTS
Reducing Recidivism: States Deliver Results
From the Council of State Governments Justice Center–This report highlights recent reductions in recidivism rates in eight states: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The declines in recidivism, the percentage of those returned to prison within three years of their release, ranged from about 6% to 19%. According to the authors, research indicates that certain practices and policies can reduce recidivism, including using risk and need assessments to inform case management, establishing programs that have been shown to reduce recidivism and ensuring they are implemented with fidelity, and implementing community re-entry policies and practices that promote success.
From the Justice Fellowship–Victims of certain crimes in the U.S. are entitled to financial compensation to cover the costs associated with victimization. The federal and state governments provide funding to assist victims of crime. The specific provisions of compensation policies vary, including eligibility requirements, sources of funding, and maximum amounts paid to victims. The federal government distributes a large portion of compensation funds, and there is currently more than $10 billion in the Crime Victims Fund. In Florida, the Office of the Florida Attorney General determines victim compensation claims. This report gives an overview of the victim compensation system, explores problems with the system, and offers suggestions for improvement.
Improving Human Trafficking Victim Identification–Validation and Dissemination of a Screening Tool
From the Vera Institute of Justice–Human trafficking occurs on a large scale in the U.S., but only a fraction of victims are identified, hindering provision of victim services and prosecution of traffickers. This report presents results from field-tests and a validation of a comprehensive screening tool to improve victim identification, victim services and law enforcement efforts on a nationwide scale. The analysis demonstrated that the screening tool accurately measures several dimensions of human trafficking and is highly reliable in predicting victimization for both sex and labor trafficking across diverse sub-groups, including those divided by age, gender and country of origin. The majority of questions asked in the three domains of migration, work, and working/living conditions, were significant predictors of trafficking after controlling for demographics: 87% of the questions significantly predicted trafficking victimization in general; 71% were significant predictors of labor trafficking specifically; and 81% were significant predictors of sex trafficking. An additional publication, Screening for Human Trafficking: Guidelines for Administering the Trafficking Victim Identification Tool, was developed using results from this study.
Runaway Youth: A Research Brief
From Models for Change–Running away is a status offense in 39 states, including Florida. While the exact number of youth who run away from home each year is unknown, evidence suggests that most return home within a few days. This research brief summarizes empirical literature on this issue from the last 20 years, highlighting reasons why young people run away from home, risk and protective factors, and what is known about interventions aimed at this vulnerable population.
From the Urban Institute–This technical report provides an in-depth review of the Pay for Success model, the state of the field, and the strategic planning and five-step process needed to execute high-performing projects. Pay for Success is a new method of forming public private-partnerships. Private investors finance a social program with a specific performance goal. If an independent evaluator certifies that the program achieves its goals, the investors receive their principal and a return. If the program does not achieve its performance targets (such as recidivism reduction), some or all of the investment is forfeited. The report contextualizes the Pay for Success framework within the model of existing state and federal legislation and notes key issues and obstacles that jurisdictions interested in pursuing the model will need to address.
RULEMAKING
The Florida Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs has made revisions to Rule 2A-8.005, entitled “Adjustments to Reflect Consumer Price Index” relating to law enforcement officer death benefits. Section 112.19(2)(j), F.S. requires the Division to adjust the statutory amount on July 1 of each year based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the United States Department of Labor, using the most recent figures available. The Division will utilize the previous March Consumer Price Index published by the United States Department of Labor and the benefits shall be adjusted from the benefit amount of the year before. To view the Notice of Change, click here.
REGULATORY HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
June 17
Florida Cabinet
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Gerald Bailey will review his agency’s Quarterly Report and Annual Performance Contract for the Florida Cabinet. To access the meeting materials, click here.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: June 17, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Valencia Community College, Criminal Justice Institute Auditorium, Room 100, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando, Florida 32825
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The above meeting will be held to determine whether or not probable cause exists to pursue disciplinary action against the certification of sworn correctional, law enforcement, or correctional probation officers.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Lori Morea at (850)410-8625 or email at lorimorea@fdle.state.fl.us.
UPCOMING FLORIDA POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION EVENTS
June 29-July 2
62nd Annual FPCA Summer Training Conference
Boca Raton Resort & Club 501 East Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33432
Tentative Conference Agenda Attendee Information Attendee Registration Exhibitor Registration Exhibitor Information Exhibitor Rules Booth Layout
July 9
Crisis Communication Boot Camp
Orlando PD Training Center 100 Andes Avenue Orlando, FL 32807 Details Register
August 18-22
Advanced Law Enforcement Executives Seminar
The Florida Hotel 1500 Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL
September 22-26
Future Law Enforcement Executives Seminar
The Florida Hotel 1500 Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL
October 25
IACP Annual Conference
121st Annual Conference Orlando, FL