Resolution 2005-4, Supports the Florida Parole Commission as a Separate and Independent Agency within the Criminal Justice System".

WHEREAS, the Florida Parole Commission is currently being examined by the Florida Legislature regarding its structure, operation, and existence as a separate agency; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Police Chiefs Association is aware that proposals have been made to abolish the Parole Commission and transfer its functions to other agencies. Since the Commission is carrying out its mission and duties effectively there is no discernable reason to dismantle something that is working well; and

WHEREAS, the clemency, revocation, conditional release, parole and other post prison release functions performed by the Commission are best suited to an administrative process; converting these functions to a judicial process would give offenders more legal rights and increase the cost of the revocation process; and

WHEREAS, the Parole Commission has been effectively performing these functions since 1941 and there would be a significant loss of expertise and efficiencies if these functions were to become disjointed and allocated among other entities, as the functions are inter-related; and

WHEREAS, based upon frequent interaction between the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Parole Commission, it is our position that the Commission consistently and effectively works in concert with law enforcement, victims of crime and further, that they are keenly aware of how their decisions affect the public's safety; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Florida Police Chiefs Association are greatly concerned that the Parole Commission remain a separate and independent agency within the criminal justice system and that they continue to be unfettered in their efforts to enhance the safety of Florida's citizens;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Florida Police Chiefs Association strongly advocates their support for the Parole Commission as it currently operates and we encourage the Legislature to allow the Parole Commission to continue to function in its current form without a transfer of any of its functions to other agencies.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THE 26TH DAY OF JUNE 2005 in Tampa, Florida, at a duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.