Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 18, 2017

As many as five people – including a former FDLE head and two late county sheriffs – will likely be added to the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame, according to documents filed for the next Cabinet meeting. Cabinet aides meet today to prepare for the next meeting, set for next Tuesday. Florida Department of […]

Scott PowersJanuary 6, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposal to spend $5.8 billion to beef up state counterterrorism drew a joint endorsement Thursday from the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. The two groups’ leaders signed a statement applauding Scott’s proposal and urging the Florida Legislature to approve it. On Wednesday during stops in Orlando and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 4, 2017

Vowing to do everything he can to prevent another terrorist attack like the June 12 Pulse nightclub massacre, Gov. Rick Scott pushed for nearly $6 million to create a new counter-terrorism and law enforcement intelligence task force in Florida. “Terror, like we saw in the attack on the Pulse nightclub, is a threat to our state, […]

Staff ReportsDecember 21, 2016

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Jessica Cary, a former Department of Corrections communications director, is now communications coordinator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen announced the hire Wednesday. Cary will work with longtime FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger in FDLE’s main Tallahassee headquarters. She replaces the retiring Steve Arthur in the agency’s press office. Cary “will serve as FDLE spokesperson […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 20, 2016

Despite dwindling revenue for the state budget in the years ahead, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen stuck to his budget request for 2017-18. On Tuesday, Swearingen presented his request to Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet: Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. It was […]

Associated PressFebruary 18, 2016

The heads of 10 Florida state agencies will keep their jobs. The Florida Senate voted Thursday to confirm top officials appointed by Gov. Rick Scott. They also confirmed Rick Swearingen who was appointed the head of Florida’s law-enforcement agency by Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet. The vote was important because state law would […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

Dozens of state officials whose appointments need Senate approval will be considered Thursday by the Florida Senate, records show. Among Gov. Rick Scott‘s top officials on the docket are Corrections Secretary Julie Jones, Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Mike Carroll, and Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Rick Swearingen. Swearingen replaced former Commissioner Gerry Bailey, forced […]

Jim RosicaNovember 24, 2015

Two applicants to the Capitol Police have sued the agency, claiming they were victims of age and sex discrimination when they were turned down for jobs as officers. Woodrow Kerce and Carissa Beck filed their complaint in Leon County Circuit Civil court last week, according to court dockets. The Capitol Police patrol and protect the […]

Peter SchorschJuly 23, 2015

Attorney General Pam Bondi has decided not to bring forward any additional applicants for the position of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, meaning that Interim Secretary Jon Steverson will be the only candidate to be interviewed by the Cabinet at their next meeting. Steverson and FDLE head Rick Swearingen were the first state officials affected by […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 5, 2015

The Florida Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to Gov. Rick Scott‘s recommended appointments for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Environmental Protection. However, the Cabinet also made clear that it will do an official search for those positions which follows the hiring process for Cabinet level positions. The Cabinet is slated to approve […]

Tag: Rick Swearingen

Five nominees slated for Law Enforcement Hall of Fame

Rick Scott’s counterterrorism proposal gets cities’, police chiefs’ backing

Rick Scott wants to hire counterterrorism agents

Personnel note: Jessica Cary joins FDLE as spokeswoman

FDLE head on budget: ‘I asked for what we need’

Florida Senate confirms 10 agency heads appointed by Rick Scott

It’s confirmations day in Florida Senate

Capitol Police hit with age, sex discrimination lawsuits

Jon Stevenson to be only DEP candidate interviewed at next cabinet meeting

Cabinet OKs Rick Scott agency heads, will follow new hiring guidelines