Florida Police Chiefs Association Statement on School Safety
From FPCA President Kevin Lystad, Miami Shores Police Chief
“The Florida Police Chiefs Association members work to serve and protect local communities. We recognize that our communities are extremely diverse and law enforcement and citizens must continue dialogue to find the solutions that best meet their community needs.
As an association, we recommend that Florida state and local leaders immediately:
-
Determine how to provide School Resource Officers in every school.
-
Pass legislation that would make it a third-degree felony to threaten to kill or do great bodily injury. Currently, the law requires that the threat be against a specific person. (see attached)
On a longer-term basis, the Florida Police Chiefs Association recommends:
-
Providing law enforcement intervention tools to more thoroughly investigate threats.
-
Closing loopholes in the Baker Act as it relates to the release of firearms after commitment.”
