An amendment to the Florida Policeman’s Bill of Rights being pushed by the union will soon be sitting on Governor Charlie Crist’s desk awaiting signature to be signed into law. This Bill would give Florida law enforcement officers unprecedented rights when they are under internal investigation for allegations of wrongdoing. Sheriff Demings opposes this bill because it will only serve to protect bad cops. Good cops do not need it and bad cops do not deserve it.
The controversial amendment would expand the rights of the law enforcement officer who already can review all sworn statements written or otherwise prior to the interview to include all other existing evidence, including, but not limited to, incident reports, GPS locator information, and audio or video recordings relating to the incident under investigation,. We should expect our Law Enforcement Officer to testify truthfully regardless of the evidence that is placed before them. This does nothing less than give the appearance to the public that the officers could modify their testimony when the truth and facts should be self-evident at any point in the investigation.
Further, the proposed changes erode employer management rights, which should be subject to the collective bargaining process in agencies having certified collective bargaining units. If given the broadened rights as proposed, law enforcement and corrections officers would have greater rights in internal disciplinary investigations than the firefighters, teachers, public works employees who are all expected to answer questions truthfully. Why would we not expect the same standard for the men and women who testify in court proceedings?
“I support my deputies and always will, but believe that we collectively have a responsibility to the public to be good and honest public servants,” said Sheriff Demings. “However we must balance the rights of our personnel with truth and justice for all.”
The Florida Sheriff’s Association and more specifically, 57 Florida Sheriff’s along with the Florida Police Chiefs Association strongly oppose this proposed amendment that is a signature away from becoming law.
