Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Larry GriffinJanuary 17, 2017

Markeith Loyd, suspected in the killing of Master Sergeant Debra Clayton in a shootout last week, was caught after over a week of hunting by the Orlando Police Department Tuesday night. He’ll face multiple charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Loyd has been the subject of a nine-day-long manhunt by the OPD as well as […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 17, 2017

Legislation filed in the Florida House would mandate that police and corrections officers undergo psychological evaluation upon hiring and every four years subsequently. HB 37 also would require training academies to seek and maintain accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Each screening would be done by a licensed “mental health professional.” […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 9, 2017

The Orlando Eye, always a sort of emotional thermometer for the city, shone a bright shade of blue Monday night in remembrance of the death of Orlando Police Master Sergeant Debra Clayton, shot to death Monday morning. In the past, the Eye has shone rainbow colors for the Pulse nightclub shooting and other colors to […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 9, 2017

Orlando-Police-Chief-John-Mina-and-Orlando-Mayor-Buddy-Dyer-1024x1024.jpg

Orlando Police Chief John Mina was sure of himself standing before a crowd Monday afternoon – they were going to catch Markeith Loyd, the suspect in the killing of Master Sergeant Debra Clayton by firearm earlier in the day. “It doesn’t matter where he goes,” Mina said. “We’ll track him to the ends of the […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 9, 2017

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, in the wake of the deaths of two law enforcement officials in Orlando on Monday, condemned the violence and mourned Orlando Police Department Master Sergeant Debra Clayton and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy killed. “Sergeant Clayton leaves behind a husband and two children, and her murderer must be held accountable and prosecuted […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 9, 2017

Two law enforcement officials were killed on Monday morning – Orlando Police Department Master Sergeant Debra Clayton as well as an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy in a motorcycle crash while pursuing Loyd in a chase afterwards. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has said today shall be a “day of mourning.” “[Debra Clayton’s] death and her injuries, the death of the […]

Scott PowersSeptember 21, 2016

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton decried the two recent police shootings of unarmed black men – and all those that have proceeded it the past two years – as “unbearable” and “intolerable” and vowed to do something about it as president. In a speech she gave in a predominantly black neighborhood in Orlando Wednesday, Clinton […]

Larry GriffinAugust 16, 2016

With a virtual reality headset that fits snugly over the eyes, Motorola Solutions is bringing in the wave of the future. The technology, intended to usher in a new age of high-tech police work, is reminiscent of what the layman, even only a few years ago, might have called science fiction. Motorola Solutions, as a part […]

Associated PressJuly 10, 2016

The Dallas shooting that killed five officers has spurred an outpouring of support for police, not only in Texas but hundreds of miles away. Around the country, people have showed up at local departments with flowers, sent social media messages or called to say thanks. They delivered coffee, pizzas, cakes and moments of solace for […]

Scott PowersApril 13, 2016

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Wednesday that his proposal to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana would give police officers a third choice between arresting or just warning people. The proposed ordinance, which will go before the Orlando City Council on Monday, creates a new municipal civil citation — a $50 penalty — for people caught […]

Tag: police
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

John Mina: ‘Great police work’ led to the capture of murder suspect Markeith Loyd

Bill would subject police, corrections officers to psychological screening

Orlando Eye shines blue in remembrance of fallen police sergeant

John Mina ready to go ‘to the ends of the Earth’ to catch shooting suspect Markeith Loyd

Marco Rubio mourns Orlando officers killed, calls for law enforcement respect ‘every day’

Buddy Dyer calls for ‘day of mourning’ after officer deaths

Hillary Clinton: deaths of unarmed blacks ‘unbearable’ and ‘intolerable’

With virtual reality technology, Motorola Solutions intends to help law enforcement be more efficient

Shooting of Dallas officers spurs acts of kindness to police

Buddy Dyer proposes decriminalizing pot in Orlando