KOLUMN Magazine
Photo, Tampa’s Citizens Review Board was dismantled last month after a state law went into effect over the summer, prohibiting municipalities from enforcing any ordinance related to civilian oversight of police misconduct investigations. Adobe Images
CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT IN FLORIDA CRUMBLES AFTER NEW LAW KICKS IN
The law assures that only law enforcement agencies will investigate reports of misconduct by law enforcement officers.
Share
GAINESVILLE — At least 15 civilian review boards across Florida, which review investigations of potential law enforcement misconduct after they’re completed, have dissolved or temporarily ceased operations after a new law targeting the panels took effect.
The law assures that only law enforcement agencies will investigate reports of misconduct by law enforcement officers. It blocks outside civilian review boards from performing oversight in such investigations, moves civilian panels under the control of Florida police chiefs and sheriffs, and requires that at least one panelist must be a retired law enforcement officer.