Florida Police Chiefs Association Update–Week of January 9, 2012
Jan 13, 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 of January 9, 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
USA Today: City police find new challenges as small-town chiefs
The wooded bedroom community of Lakemoor, Ill., an hour from Chicago, is no stranger to hunters. But Bill Kushner, a former Chicago police officer now about a year into his role as police chief here, wasn’t thinking of hunting season when he first heard gunshots ring out in town.
Florida House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Curb Human Trafficking
On January 12, 2012, the Florida House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to strengthen Florida’s human trafficking laws and provide law enforcement officials and prosecutors with additional tools to combat these crimes statewide.
Florida says it will close 11 correctional facilities
Corrections Secretary Kenneth S. Tucker said Florida has more prison room than it has inmates, about 116,000 beds for 100,000 current inmates.
Identity theft ring busted in Apopka
A major central Florida identity theft ring has been busted by Apopka.
Telemarketing boss sentenced in Florida Attorney General time share fraud prosecution
A telemarketing executive whose Palm Beach County companies victimized 22,000 people for $30 million across the nation has a new travel itinerary: to prison for 15 years and 8 months.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following statement regarding the United States Supreme Court’s decision on January 6, 2012 to review the Florida case involving a dog drugsniff outside of a Miami home, which the Florida Supreme Court found to be an illegal search.
Florida Senator Maria Sachs Sponsors Gun Safety in Public Places Bill
During a press conference by Senator Sachs (D-Delray Beach) on SB1340, regarding gun safety in public places, news broke that the bill was referred to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. The bill limits places where a concealed weapon or firearm can be carried in (i.e. a child care facility, government building, or special district building).
Florida bill inspired by Caylee Anthony clears panel
A bill inspired by the Caylee Anthony case is advancing in the Florida Legislature, just don’t call it “Caylee’s Law.”
The owner and operator of a Broward County, Fla.-area halfway house pleaded guilty today for his role in a Medicare fraud kickback scheme that funneled patients through a fraudulent mental health company, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commemorates National AMBER Alert Awareness Day
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey joined Florida’s local, state, federal, and private partners today to commemorate National AMBER Alert Awareness Day.
In Bunnell, Scrapping for Police Chief’s Pay And a Taxpayer-Funded Christmas Party
Like most local governments these days, Bunnell replaced its Christmas party with a potluck a couple of weeks ago. Then some employees had an idea.
Former Boyton Beach Police Chief Sworn in as Wentzville, Missouri Police Chief
Former Boyton Beach Police Chief Lisa Kay Harrison will officially take the reins as the head of the Wentzville Police Department in January.
Injured Winter Haven police officer honored as Officer of Year
An Auburndale police officer shot several times with an assault rifle while responding to a domestic disturbance call has been named officer of the year.
REPORTS
A wide variety of cybersecurity guidance is available from national and international organizations for entities within the seven critical infrastructure sectors GAO reviewed–banking and finance; communications; energy; health care and public health; information technology; nuclear reactors, material, and waste; and water.
RECENT BILLS FILED
HB 1301 Relating to the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County by State Representative Joe Abruzzo
HB 1301 would amend definitions and revise provisions of law relating to retirement pension calculation, funding of share accounts, supplemental pension distribution, the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), duty disability pension, member contributions and refunds, rollovers from qualified plans and actuarial assumptions. Effective Date: upon becoming a law
SB 1542 relating to Traffic Infraction Detectors by Senator Greg Evers
SB 1542 would repeal provisions of law relating to the installation and use of traffic infraction detectors to enforce specified provisions when a driver fails to stop at a traffic signal. It also would remove provisions that authorize the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a county, or a municipality to use such detectors. Further, provisions relating to transitional implementation and placement and installation of traffic infraction detectors would be removed, while provisions relating to enforcement by such detectors would be amended. The bill would also amend procedures for disposition of citations, penalties and distribution of proceeds. Effective Date: upon becoming a law
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, January 17
- Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee; 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- HB 117 Relating to Military Veterans Convicted of Criminal Offenses by State Representative Bryan Nelson
- HB 367 Relating to Restraint of Incarcerated Pregnant Women by State Representative Betty Reed
- HB 583 Relating to Murder of a Child 17 Years Of Age or Younger by State Representative Jose Oliva
- HB 667 Relating to Murder by State Representative Clay Ingram
- HB 1193 Relating to Public Record/Victims of Violence by State Representative Mia Jones
- Florida Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research; 2:00 p.m.
- SB 536 Relating to the Sale or Distribution of Obscene Materials to a Minor by Senator Anitere Flores
- HB 777 Relating to Securities Law Violations by State Representative Eric Eisnaugle
- SB 804 Relating to Fish and Wildlife Conservation by Senator Greg Evers
- SB 950 Relating to Stalking and Aggravated Stalking by Senator David Simmons
- HB 1099 Relating to Stalking and Aggravated Stalking by State Representative Scott Plakon
- HB 993 Relating to Animal Fighting or Baiting by State Representative Alan Williams
- HB 1097 Relating to Sexually Violent Predators by State Representative Paige Kreegel
- SB 1290 Relating to Criminal Penalties for Violations of Securities Laws by Senator Joe Negron
- SB 1502 Relating to Controlled Substances by Senator Evers
- HB 1175 Relating to Controlled Substances by State Representative Clay Ingram