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Staff ReportsMarch 23, 2016

Local law enforcement agencies will have to turn over rape kits to the state for testing within 30 days under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Rick Scott. “This legislation will provide thousands of women with a renewed sense of safety and closure as they heal from the horrific crime of rape,” the governor said in a […]

Associated PressMarch 2, 2016

Law enforcement agencies will soon have to turn over rape kits for testing within 30 days under a bill sent Wednesday to Gov. Rick Scott, who plans to sign it. The bill is a response to a backlog of thousands of untested rape kits in Florida, an issue Attorney General Pam Bondi brought awareness to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 25, 2016

An amended bill that would reshape the way civil forfeiture works in Florida passed the House Judiciary Committee Thursday. Under current law, law enforcement can seize a person’s property, including cash, if they suspect it is being used to commit a crime or is the proceed from crime. Under that scenario, no charges have to […]

Ryan RayFebruary 5, 2016

A bill to require the use of body cameras for Florida law enforcement officers is ready for a vote before the full House after getting final approval in a committee. The House Judiciary Committee passed HB 93 by Rep. Shevrin Jones by a unanimous vote Thursday. Jones, a Broward Democrat, said his bill would provide comprehensive protections for both citizens […]

Ryan RayDecember 16, 2015

The Pensacola Police Department announced they have begun using an upgraded radio communications system Tuesday. The new Motorola Solutions ASTRO 25 platform allows for greater interoperability or connection between different divisions and systems, the department said in a release. Pensacola law enforcement also joined forces with Motorola and vendor CES Team One to update their dispatch […]

Ryan RayDecember 3, 2015

A pair of Republican lawmakers spoke to reporters Thursday about their proposal to revamp the seizure of assets by police in Florida, amid reports the value of property taken from suspects across the country now exceeds that of property stolen by criminals. St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes and Lehigh Acres Rep. Matt Caldwell told assembled media some elements of law […]

Ryan RaySeptember 16, 2015

In its first meeting in preparation of the 2016 regular legislative Session, a Senate committee pulled the trigger on two bills to alter Florida’s state gun statutes on Wednesday. On a so-called “campus carry” bill to allow concealed weapons into higher education facilities, a House panel shortly followed suit. First up was SB 130 sponsored […]

Marc YachtJuly 26, 2015

The recent Lafayette, La., theater shooting left two young women dead and nine injured; some with multiple gunshot wounds. The killer took his own life. The carnage has followed too many recent gun-related tragedies and demands attention for adequately funded comprehensive mental health services and sensible firearms regulation. The conservative mantras that “government cannot be […]

Associated PressApril 8, 2015

Traffic ticket quotas for law enforcement agencies would be illegal under a bill passed by the Senate Wednesday. The so-called “Waldo Bill” (SB 264) passed unanimously with no debate. It must still pass the House and be approved by Gov. Rick Scott to become law. The bill’s nickname comes from the city of Waldo on […]

Bob SparksMarch 26, 2015

The Florida Legislature is deciding, with certain restrictions, whether to allow guns on Florida college campuses. This brief, but controversial, bill (House Bill 4005 and Senate Bill 176) removes restrictions on campus for qualified gun permit holders. Other prohibitions remain untouched, including courthouses, polling places, K-12 schools and numerous others. Republicans generally favor the legislation […]

Tag: law enforcement
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts.

Rick Scott approves bill requiring quick testing of rape kits

Bill requiring quick testing of rape kits goes to Gov. Rick Scott

Lawmakers reach agreement with law enforcement groups over civil forfeiture bill

Body cameras bill poised for House vote

Pensacola Police Dept. announces upgraded communications system

Jeff Brandes, Matt Caldwell want to rein in asset seizure by law enforcement

Gun bills move forward in early committee action

Marc Yacht: Will yet another gun tragedy finally lead to change?

Senate passes “Waldo bill” banning traffic ticket quotas

Bob Sparks: Logic, passion and courage describe guns-on-campus debate