Legislative

The Florida Police Chiefs Association was originally organized in 1952 to promote legislation that would enhance public security by providing superior police protection for the residents of Florida as well as our many visitors.

For more than sixty years, the Association has maintained a strong presence in Tallahassee and regularly testifies on legislative issues of a public safety nature. FPCA members are frequently recognized by the legislative leaders to provide insight into public safety issues and problems facing the criminal justice system.

The Legislative Committee studies and evaluates proposed legislation that may favorably or adversley affect the Association, public safety, law enforcement or the welfare of police officers on a state or national basis. The Committee regularly reports its findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors, who determine the legislative agenda.

The full text of bills can be retrieved on the internet via the Florida’s Government Online Sunshine Page. To get the bill in its final form, retrieve the enrolled version – the bill number will be followed by the letters “er.” Bills can also be obtained by calling the Legislature at (850) 488-4371.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION RECAP

THREATS TO KILL OR DO BODILY INJURY: Delete the requirement that a specific person must be directly threatened by means of a letter, inscribed or electronic communication of that threat is made. Current law only prohibits threats written directly to an individual. The section expands upon the current statute to prohibit a greater variety of modern communication circumstances.  Senate Bill 310 by Senator Greg Steube and House Bill 165 by Representative Stan McClain

DISTRACTED DRIVING: Require the use of a hands-free device when using a cellular telephone or other electronic device while operating a motor vehicle to address the dangers of distracted/careless driving.  Senate Bill 90 by Senator Keith Perry and House Bill 133 by Representative Jackie Toledo

Support

ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS:  The FPCA supports stricter, harsher punishment and penalties for acts of aggravated animal cruelty to result in a charge of a second-degree felony instead of the current third-degree felony.

DIGITAL BYSTANDERS:  The FPCA supports legislation that makes it illegal to post or live stream videos of a crime via social media.

DNA SEARCH WARRANTS: The FPCA supports an amendment to FS 933.05, to allow for open-ended dates for service of DNA Search Warrants for known suspects who may be mobile; allowing for entry of said warrant into the NCIC/FCIC System to provide notification to law enforcement nationwide, thus allowing for collection of Buccal Swabs by any law enforcement, anywhere in the country, when the Suspect is encountered.

ENHANCED PENALTIES: The FPCA supports enhancing the penalties for killing a law enforcement officer.

FDLE SERVICES:  The FPCA supports and encourages the Legislature to recognize the vital importance the services from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) are to law enforcement across the state at all levels, and to support FDLE’s proposed budgetary request enhancements.

FIREARMS:  The FPCA supports consideration of Officer Safety in all aspects of regulation of firearm carry and usage.

FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM:  The FPCA supports a revision to the Florida Retirement System to allow criminal justice training centers to reemploy a retiree without the 12-month limitation if he or she is employed on a part-time basis.

LAW ENFORCEMENT CARS ON TOLL ROADS:  The FPCA supports a change in legislation to exempt unmarked law enforcement vehicles from toll payment.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SAFETY ACT:  The FPCA supports an amendment that would prohibit any person from denying a law enforcement officer access to any premises that are open to the public when the denial is based solely on the fact that the police officer is in possession of a firearm.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING TRUST FUND:  The FPCA supports the increase of funding for vital training for law enforcement officers statewide.

PENSIONS:  The FPCA supports a study of the financial impact and necessary funding required to lift the suspension of the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) in FRS.

TRESPASSING ON AIRPORT PROPERTY:  The FPCA supports and encourages the Legislature to amend FS 810.09 and associate penalty statutes for trespassing on the aircraft operational area of an airport.

VIDEO VOYEURISM:  The FPCA supports and encourages the Legislature to amend FS 810.145 and associated penalty statutes to increase the punishment level in sentencing guidelines and to consider adding certain voyeurism offenses to the Sex Offender category.

Oppose

BODY-WORN CAMERAS:  The FPCA opposes any mandatory requirement to use body-worn cameras.  We believe that decisions on what technology and/or equipment used by any police officer should be made by individual Chiefs, in conjunction with their local governmental leaders and community partners.

CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE:  The FPCA opposes any legislation that abolishes or unreasonably restricts a law enforcement agency from implementing a properly managed civil asset forfeiture program.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS:  Recognizing that the safety and security of all citizens, including confidential informants, is a priority of law enforcement, the FPCA opposes any legislation that unreasonably restricts the engagement of confidential informants by law enforcement agencies.

CUSTODIAL INTERROGATIONS:  The FPCA opposes any legislation that limits the introduction into a court of law any evidence that would provide a jury the ability to evaluate all the issues, inclusive of confessions and admissions.  The FPCA further opposes any statutory effort to mandate the manner in which law enforcement provides such information to the courts.

EMPLOYEE-EMPLOYER RELATIONS:  The FPCA opposes, at both the State and Federal level, any legislative attempt to further restrict the local conduct of employee/employer relations issues.  This would include further mandating of collective bargaining by local governments.

JUVENILE CIVIL CITATIONS: The FPCA strongly believes that law enforcement needs to have the discretion in every situation whether to issue a juvenile civil citation or make an arrest.  The FPCA opposes mandating that law enforcement issue a juvenile civil citation.

RED LIGHT CAMERAS:  The FPCA opposes any attempt to modify or repeal the statutes governing Red Light Cameras.  These tools are vital to public safety.

For additional information, please contact FPCA Executive Director Amy Mercer: amercer@fpca.com
Professional Development/Executive Assistant Kendra Oates: koates@fpca.com
FPCA Office: (850) 219-3631
FPCA Lobbyist Tim Stanfield: timothy.stanfield@bipc.com