Summer 2017 From the Desk of The Executive Director Dear Members,
We are thrilled with the great response to our new digital issue of The Florida Police Chiefmagazine. We hope this publication continues to provide you with relevant and timely information on current issues and events.
At this moment in our history, now more than ever, we want to pause and say thank you to all law enforcement officers for your service and commitment to our communities. Our nation recently recognized National Police Week (May 14-20, 2017) which pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. I completed my first draft of this message in the middle of May and at that time we had lost 50 officers. Now, only a month later in 2017, 61 officers and 8 K9 officers have been killed in the line of duty in our country, with 3 officers and 1 K9 officer being from Florida. We will never forget their ultimate sacrifice.
Amy Mercer Executive Director
The 2017 Legislature adjourned on Monday, May 8th. We commend Senator Greg Steube who sponsored Senate Bill 80. This legislation offers reasonable public records request reform and gives public employees a fighting chance to process public record requests without fear of being sued. Governor Rick Scott signed this bill into law on May 23, 2017. The FPCA and its members supported this legislation, and it was our top initiative.
FDLE requested and received approval from the Legislature to transfer funds from the Department’s Operating Trust Fund to the CJSTC Trust Fund. A total of $6 million was approved to be moved to the CJSTC Trust Fund. This is an in- crease from the $4.8 million provided though general revenue in previous years. They are currently running projec- tions based on this increased amount and anticipate making recommendations to the CJST Commission in August to increase the per officer allotments.
We supported legislation that passed related to terrorism prevention, internet identifiers, payment card offenses, and adding to Schedule 1 certain fentanyl derivatives and imposing mandatory minimums for trafficking this drug. The Legislature did not pass an implementation bill for Amendment 2 relating to Medical Marijuana in our regular legisla- tive session however they did so in the special session. During our upcoming Summer Conference the Department of Health will provide an update on the implementation legislation and rules. We opposed bills that mandated juvenile civil citation, and they did not pass. In this edition, you will find an article from Tim Stanfield, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney and the FPCA’s Lobbyist highlighting legislation affecting law enforcement and public safety.
The Florida Police Chiefs STARS program continues to set the standard for finding, retaining, and supporting the best police chiefs available. We recently assisted the City of Deland, the City of Melbourne, and Tampa International Airport to find and select their newest leaders. I want to thank our team leaders Retired Chief Gerald Monahan, Retired Chief Sam Williams, Retired Chief Dennis Jones, Retired Chief Jim Gabbard, and Dr. Jim Sewell who provided assistance with these STARS jobs. We congratulate Chief Jason Umberger, Deland PD; Chief David Gillespie, Melbourne PD; and Chief Charles Vasquez, Tampa International Airport, as they assume their new roles.
Our 65th Annual Summer Training Conference and Exposition is getting close. We look forward to seeing you July 8-12 at the Trump National Doral. We are very excited about our training agenda which includes presentations on challeng- es facing law enforcement by your peers, including Chiefs from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Newport News (VA) Police Department, and the Charleston Police Department, to name a few. Make plans to attend now by registering and reserving your hotel room.
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