By Gordon Byrd
May 13, 2021
TALLAHASSEE A sheriff from the Tampa Bay area and a Miami police oversight panel may challenge a ruling that could keep secret the names of officers who use deadly force.
A three judge panel at the 1st District Appeals Court ruled last month that two Tallahassee police officers can claim a right to privacy as crime victims under Marsy s Law, because they were threatened with a deadly weapon before using force.
Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and the Miami Civilian Investigative Panel plan to file briefs of their own against the decision, when the case goes to the State Supreme Court. Opponents of the ruling say it could undermine sunshine laws and efforts by the community to hold police accountable through public records.
By Gordon Byrd
May 13, 2021
TALLAHASSEE A sheriff from the Tampa Bay area and a Miami police oversight panel may challenge a ruling that could keep secret the names of officers who use deadly force.
A three judge panel at the 1st District Appeals Court ruled last month that two Tallahassee police officers can claim a right to privacy as crime victims under Marsy s Law, because they were threatened with a deadly weapon before using force.
Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and the Miami Civilian Investigative Panel plan to file briefs of their own against the decision, when the case goes to the State Supreme Court. Opponents of the ruling say it could undermine sunshine laws and efforts by the community to hold police accountable through public records.
Sun Sentinel. April 30, 2021. Editorial: Florida’s shame: Ten terrible decisions by a broken Legislature The 2021 session of the Legislature ended Friday and not a moment too soon.
Florida cop under investigation after arresting homeless man at Publix
Sun Sentinel 5/3/2021 Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Miami Police Department is looking into an officer’s off-duty arrest of a man who allegedly stole chicken at a South Florida Publix.
According to the incident report, Willie Barbor took chicken from the deli in the evening on April 16, and began eating it as he walked toward the exit. A store manager told Barbor he had to pay for the chicken, at which point Barbor replied, “[Expletive] you. I am homeless, I don’t have any money.”
Officer Alexander Garcia-Contreras, who was working an “extra duty job,” which is an off-duty job, at the Publix, told Barbor go with him to the store office, but Barbor refused and began walking away, the report stated.