In the News



Florida Police Chiefs Association Honors State Legislators

The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) announced the 2023 Legislators of the Year and several special legislative award recipients at the FPCA’s 71st Annual Summer Training Conference and Exposition awards banquet held in Bonita Springs last week.

“The Florida Police Chiefs Association is honored to recognize those public servants who demonstrate their commitment to policies that support and improve law enforcement and public safety in Florida,” said FPCA President and Clermont Police Department Chief Charles “Chuck” Broadway.

“This year, we are also honored to recognize several individuals who, through their dedicated leadership, ensured the sanctity of our democratic process,” said FPCA Immediate Past President Fellsmere Police Department Chief Keith Touchberry.

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Op-Ed: The Public Must Know Why a Police Chief is Fired

Prior to serving the people of District 59 as their State Representative, I served over four years as Pinellas County’s Assistant State Attorney. As a prosecutor, I worked diligently to keep my community safe and ensure Florida remains a place for all Americans to live and grow freely.

Strong, effective local law enforcement was and still is at the heart of keeping our communities safe, and law enforcement agencies can only accomplish that mission with strong, effective leadership.

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State Rep. Berny Jacques Files Local Bill Bolstering Youth Sports and Recreation in Pinellas County

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Earlier this week, Representative Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) filed legislation that would abolish the Greater Seminole Area Special Recreation District and transfer the district to the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas County; which will use the transferred property exclusively for recreation purposes and continue to house what is known as the Seminole Youth Athletic Association (SYAA) sports fields.

“Part of a pro-family agenda is making sure that our youth have great recreational services in their community,” said Representative Jacques.

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Jacques files bill enhancing education for youth exiting juvenile justice system

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Florida Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Largo, filed HB 939 Thursday, aiming to bolster education for Floridians in the youth justice system.

The bill would expand the Department of Juvenile Justice’s “educational scope” via the creation of the Florida Scholars Academy. The department is headed by Secretary Eric Hall.

It would include $12 million in funding to enact a “streamlined approach to educating vulnerable youth within the system.”

“As a former prosecutor who had to hold countless amounts of young people accountable when they broke the law, I know that education can be part of an early intervention strategy that will prevent them from getting into a life of crime,” Jacques said.

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