PBA Statement to Officers – Know Your 112 Rights

In an ongoing attempt to continue to educate our officers, I will be putting out frequent letters for our membership on various issues that we continue to see as current topics. Feel free to use the letters as you see fit.

Thanks,

Stephanie

Stephanie Dobson Webster
General Counsel

Social Media and Law Enforcement

Recently, 2 more groups have surfaced across the country who have made it their mission to seek out law enforcement officers on social media to “expose” any posts they feel are offensive. Thousands of officers are now under investigation as a result. Although I know we continuously warn our members about the dangers of social media, I feel it is important to continue warning them. Attached is a letter that can be posted to Chapter and Charter social media pages or distributed in other ways.

View/Download Facebook letter here.

Thanks!

Stephanie

Stephanie Dobson Webster
General Counsel
Florida Police Benevolent Association

Big Bend BOD Election Results

TO: All Members Big Bend Chapter

FROM: Abe Carmack, Secretary Florida PBA

DATE: April 19, 2019

RE: 2019 ELECTION of CHAPTER OFFICERS

Click here for pdf

The counting and tabulating of ballots for the Big Bend Chapter Board of Directors election was held April 18th.  The results are as follows in alphabetical order:

Board of Directors

Scott Angulo
Amanda Bailey
Calvin Bedenbaugh
Jeff Caplan
Dan Copelin
David Donato
Brian Githens
Donnie Glunt
Billy Hartsfield
Dan Henderson
Zachary Lyne
Benjamin Magruder
Jeffery Mazerac
Richard Murphy
Paul Osborn
Ryan Pender
Eric Robinson
John Rudd
Karen Ryan
Stephen Stabley
Michael Suleski
Ryon Sullivan
Justin Turner
Greg Wilder

The new Board of Directors will hold an organizational meeting to elect the Executive Board on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Florida PBA Office.

The term of office for the new board members will be from June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2023.

We thank the current Board Members for their dedicated service and congratulate the new candidates for coming forward and offering their time and talent to serve you.

Police, Fire Unions Issue Local Endorsements

Check out this article from Tallahassee Democrat:

, Tallahassee Democrat – Published 3:28 p.m. ET July 9, 2018 | Updated 4:55 p.m. ET July 9, 2018

The Big Bend Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Tallahassee Professional Fire Fighters announced the candidates they’re endorsing in the August primary.

It turns out both organizations are backing the same candidates. And while the groups conducted separate candidate screenings, they announced them together in a joint press release Monday.

The unions endorsed County Commissioner John Dailey for mayor, Bob Lotane for City Commission Seat 5, Lisa Brown for City Commission Seat 3, Rick Minor for County Commission District 3 and Jasmine Ali-Mohammed for County Commission District 1.

The PBA also endorsed David Frank for circuit judge and Monique Richardson for county judge. The firefighters union endorsed Frank as well.

“These candidates have shown an understanding of the important and unique issues facing local law enforcement officers,” said Steve Slade, president of the Big Bend PBA. “We ask that voters consider this when making their choices at the polls on Aug. 28.”

Only one of the seats in question, County Commission District 1, has an incumbent, Commissioner Bill Proctor, vying for re-election.

The Big Bend PBA represents nearly 500 law enforcement officers from Gulf to Madison counties. The firefighters association represents 240 members.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.

Click here to link directly to article.

Tallahassee Police 2015 & 2018 Surveys

Tallahassee Police Department Officers Opinion Survey March 2015

This survey was conducted by the Florida Police Benevolent Association on behalf of the Big Bend Chapter to assess the general attitudes and opinions of members and non-members within the Tallahassee Police Department on a number of issues within the Department (see survey instrument, Appendix A).

A direct mail survey method was chosen because of the need for the confidentiality and security of law enforcement officers and their families and the belief that we would get more honest responses with this method versus a phone survey. The survey was direct mailed to the 321 member officers and hand delivered to 18 FOP member officers around February 2, 2015. Of the surveys mailed, 109 were returned by the extended deadline for a response rate of 32.2 %, which is a fair rate of return for a mail survey. The deadline was extended due to issues with the Post Office returning the postage paid survey envelopes.

Because the nature of direct mail surveys tend to be biased toward those individuals who feel strongly about an issue, we are reluctant to draw conclusions regarding the total population within the Department. However, we can conclude that the views expressed herein are reflective of almost one-third of the officers within the Department.

Click here to view/print 2015 Tallahassee Police Department Officers Opinion Survey

Click hereto view/print the 2015 Tallahassee Police Department Officers Internal Survey Responses


Tallahassee Police Department Officers Opinion Survey March 2018

This survey was conducted by the Florida Police Benevolent Association on behalf of the Big Bend Chapter to assess the general attitudes and opinions of members and non-members within the Tallahassee Police Department on a number of issues within the Department (see survey instrument, Appendix A).

A direct mail survey method was chosen because of the need for the confidentiality and security of law enforcement officers and their families and the belief that we would get more honest responses with this method versus a phone survey. The survey was direct mailed to the 320 member officers January 30, 2018. 151 were returned by the extended deadline and 9 were picked up and returned to the PBA office for a response rate of 50%, which is a good rate of return for a mail survey. The deadline was extended due to issues with the Post Office returning the postage paid survey envelopes and officers not receiving the survey.

Because the nature of direct mail surveys tend to be biased toward those individuals who feel strongly about an issue, we are reluctant to draw conclusions regarding the total population within the Department. However, we can conclude that the views expressed herein are reflective of half of the officers within the Department.

Click here to view/print 2015 Tallahassee Police Department Officers Opinion Survey

Breaking News, Florida PBA enhances Heart Fund benefits

From John Rivera, Florida PBA President

In keeping with our solemn duty to care for our fallen heroes, the Florida PBA has enhanced the following survivor benefits covered by our Heart Fund Charity.  

 As of today, if a member is killed in the line of duty, his or her survivor will receive a $50,000.00 lump sum benefit from our Heart Fund.  This enhancement is increasing the benefit from $30,000 to $50,000.

 Additionally, if a member is catastrophically injured in the line of duty, the member will receive a $30,000.00 benefit from our Heart Fund.  This enhancement is increasing the benefit from $20,000 to $30,000.

 It is our obligation to never forget the sacrifices of those heroes we have lost.  We must always remember.  May God bless you.

 Sincerely,

 John Rivera

President