PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE On a crisp day, 18 years ago this month, a school cafeteria was


serving lunch to high school students in Jefferson County, Colorado. The planned attack of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold resulted in the death of twelve students, one teacher, and the wounding of nearly two dozen. Since the Columbine attack, the reality of school shootings have continued to plague communities throughout the Country.


Parkland, Florida and the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas,


are the latest to be counted among these tragic events. At the time of the Columbine high school shooting, the students of MSD had not yet been born. The events of Columbine drastically changed the way law enforcement responds to mass shootings and the Parkland shooting has, and will undoubtedly continue to, change Florida’s law enforce- ment community.


As we await the formal reports and recommendations from the


Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, and various other committees and workgroups, we as law enforcement leaders must be the reassuring hand for our communities and pro- tect our students. We must be prepared to implement and respond to the various changes that will occur.


With the signing of SB7026 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, the changes are


already being implemented. This 105 page bill has far reaching impacts on law enforcement and makes sig- nificant changes to various laws. One important component of this legislation was the incorporation of the FPCA’s “Threat’s Bill” which now criminalizes certain social media posts and threats of mass shootings.


While most legislation passed that becomes law at a date in the future, SB7026 became law the moment


the Governor signed the bill. The FPCA’s legal team is continuing to review the legislation and provide tech- nical bulletins to our members to assist them in implementing the requirements. I urge each of you to care- fully review the legislation and technical bulletins to ensure you and your officers are aware of its require- ments.


As we all struggle to understand the tragedy that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I


ask each of you to remember the victims of this tragedy. To keep them and their families in your thoughts. All of the students and families will need our support, understanding, thoughts and our prayers for years to come.


Kevin Lystad Chief, Miami Shores Police Department


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