December 1, 2011

                                     "Key Issues"

There is no doubt that the current economic times have presented all of us with many challenges that have not been matched since our grandparents went through the Great Depression. Some factors that makes our experience unique is the fast pace of technology and rapidly changing social norms. Added to that is the prevalent use of, and deaths related to, prescription drug abuse. In speaking with Chiefs around the state they point out that the epidemic of prescription drug use is not unique to society outside of law enforcement. Chiefs have a responsibility to the communities we serve to make sure that our law enforcement officers are not under the influence or impaired because of prescribed medication. Sobriety of our officers is paramount when they are operating a pursuit vehicle, making arrests, and serving the community. Of particular concern should be an officer who is being treated with a narcotic regarding their judgment to utilize a weapon. Each agency should review its policy and discuss with their human resource and legal staff about how to deal with law enforcement officers who are being prescribed medication that may influence or impair their performance.

The fall meeting of the Board of Directors was held at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel Florida September 28 and 29. An initiative that I spoke of during my installation was a review of the standing FPCA committees. Past President Peter Paulding chaired an ad hoc committee that included Chief Butch Arenal and Chief Jeff Chudnow. They were tasked to examine the present standing committees and determine if each individual committee is still required and if that committee would be better served by combining it with another committee. Their work is done and a report was delivered to the Executive Board. During their review the By-Laws Committee Chair, Chief Ray Velboom, was asked for input. He and Dr. Jim Sewell pointed out that the standing committees are part of the by-laws and the by-laws can only be changed at the Annual Summer Conference. The by-laws also allow "The President shall have the authority to appoint all committees not set by the Bylaws, from the Board of Directors or the membership at large." With that in mind we will be creating committees that will have under its umbrella standing committees and we will also propose the ability to amend the by-laws at the Mid-Winter Conference. The Committees will be effective at the Mid-Winter Conference and the proposed by-laws change will be voted on at the 2012 Summer Conference.

Our Association is very involved with statewide committees and task forces that will determine the course of criminal justice within the state. Immediately following our Summer Conference in 2011, Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to the Association asking that we participate in a Statewide Law Enforcement Consolidation Task Force charged with reviewing all state law enforcement functions looking to avoid duplicate efforts of agencies and identify opportunities for consolidation. I asked Chief Gerald Monahan to represent us on this Task Force and he graciously accepted this responsibility which has proven to be quite time consuming but very important work. 3rd Vice President Chief Phil Thorne is our representative on the Domestic Security Oversight Committee. Chief Jay Romine agreed to be our IACP SACOP representative. August 1 Chief Robert Musco was reappointed to the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council and Chief Brian Lock and Chief Steven Steinberg were appointed to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission by Governor Scott. Assistant Chief Chris Nelson has agreed to serve on the Statewide Fatality Review Team. I was appointed to the Innocence Commission by Chief Justice Charles T. Canady.

In the area of legislative actions, Executive Director Amy Mercer, 3rd Vice President Phil Thorne, incoming Legislative Chair, Chief George Turner and I met with Governor Rick Scott October 11th. The meeting went well in many aspects, but most important is that we finally have access to the Governor's Office and Governor Scott is willing to speak directly to us about issues. This year we adjusted our legislative model. Along with our new lobbyists, Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, P.A., we have hired Mr. Jim Gabbard, a FPCA Past President, former Police Chief and City Manager to join us as our representative with the legislators during the legislative session. Chiefs will accompany Executive Director Mercer, Jim Gabbard and I, when we meet with legislators and members of the Executive Offices. Our Chiefs visiting Tallahassee during session will be available to serve as subject matter experts.

The Innocence Commission is in its second year of existence. This is our first year participating as a member. Last year, we spoke to the Commission when public input was called for at the end of the meetings. I've attended two meetings, with the second being in Orlando September 10. The issue of eye witness identification is still a very active topic with the Commission. It was imperative that all police departments in the state have a policy in place (we published guidelines) and a copy filed with your State Attorney by November 1, 2011. False Confessions and In Custody Informants are now on the table for discussion and suspect interviewing protocols will be the next item. Retired D.C. Metropolitan Police Detective James Trainum made a presentation of False Confessions. FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey suggested to the Commission Chair that there are many Florida Law Enforcement experts in these areas and asked that these experts also be invited to provide relevant information to the Commission. Judge Belvin Perry Jr., who is the Chair, granted Commissioner Bailey's request. If you have a member of your agency or know of an expert, please give that name and contact information to Executive Director Amy Mercer.

Our Mid-Winter Conference will be held January 29-31 in St. Augustine Florida at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort. The venue provides a perfect environment for the Association to conduct its business and showcase new technology, equipment and best practices in our vendor area. Chief David Romine and the Training Committee have planned a program that I am sure you will find not only interesting but of practical use in your job as a law enforcement leader. I look forward to seeing you there.

Best regards,

Chief Paul F. Sireci
President