Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressJune 13, 2016

As the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history began to unfold, an off-duty police officer working at a gay nightclub exchanged gunfire with the suspect. But three hours passed before a SWAT team stormed the building and brought the attack to an end. The decision by law enforcement to hold off on entering the […]

Ryan RayApril 25, 2016

When a prisoner told former Dade Correctional Facility counsellor Harriet Krzykowski about how the prison guards starved him and his fellow inmates, Krzykowski thought he must be paranoid. But as Eyal Press in the New Yorker writes, that wasn’t the half of it. Krzykowski worked in the facility’s “Transitional Care Unit,” or T.C.U., which, in theory was “designed […]

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 […]

Tag: law enforcement

Did a delay in police response give shooter more time?

In Florida’s prisons, fear and loathing

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?