centurion - bcpba.org · dog of the month page 4 - the broward centurion march/april 2014 -...

Broward Centurion

The Official Publication of The Broward County Police Benevolent Association

March/April 2014Volume 18, Issue 3

The Endorsement Issue

The

bcpb

a.org

The Broward Centurion

The Official Publication of the Broward County PBA

(A Charter of the Florida PBA)2650 West State Road 84

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312Telephone: 954-584-7600

Fax: 954-583-0405

Leonard Goffe, EditorE-mail: Lgoffe @bcpba.org

The Broward Centurion is published by the Broward County Police Benevolent Association for the sole benefit of its members. The Broward Centurion is dedicated to the advancement of the law enforcement profession through better and stronger community relations. The opinions expressed in the publication of The Broward Centurion are not necessarily those of the Broward County PBA, its Executive Board or the Board of Directors.

Members or readers submitting letters to the editor or articles for publication are requested to adhere to the following:

Submissions should be sent to:

Broward County PBA Attn: Centurion 2650 West State Road 84 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

Letters or articles must be accompanied by the writer’s true name and address.

All articles submitted for publication must be accompanied by a statement giving permission to publish.

All submissions must be legible.

The Broward County PBA reserves the right of the Executive Board or Editor to amend or to add an editor’s comment to any article or letter submitted.

Advertisement in this publication does not imply Endorsement by the Broward County PBA unless otherwise specified.

Jeff Marano

The Florida legislative session has begun and the Broward PBA will take its place in the rotation. We, the PBA, continue to maintain a dominant presence at the capitol to insure committee meetings are covered, visit the offices of Senators and House Members, and stand post in the lobby between both chambers. Whenever a legisla-tor turns around, a PBA lapel pin is staring them in the face.

At home we have been busy with County Commission endorsements. All the candi-dates we meet with are extremely pleased to receive the support of the men and women in Law Enforcement in Broward County.

Please access the website to see the weekly reports from our director and staff in Tallahassee.

Recently, I attended a one day summit in Scottsdale, Arizona put on by taser-tech who is promoting some new products. As you are aware, Hallandale Beach has opted to issue body cameras in the near future. Their commission directed the Chief to mutually agree with the PBA on a policy for wearing the devices. I was hoping to get some insight on the body cams and get some direction on policies and proce-dures with agencies where they are already in use.

- The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 - bcpba.org bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 - Page 3

Click and Follow! We are on Facebook, Twitter,

Google+, and LinkedIn.

And Now Instagram Too! Simply type #bcpba to get your photo in our stream.

President’s Letter

Executive Board

Board of DirectorsBSO (Support)

Paul WeissBSO – At Large (LE)

Kevin Bolling Meghan Brooks

Jim Harrison Bob Lahiff

Vince Marlin Chris Palamara

Ralph Romb Jerry Vosburgh

BSO – District (LE)Aimee Russo

Christopher Bradley Kelli Covet

Armand Demosthenes Rich Engels

Mike Hencken Dean Mirra

Art Perry Robert Petoskey John Randazzo

Ivan Roiz Eric Swenson

BSO (Lts)Jeff Morse

Broward County District School Board Police

Bobby Spence

Coconut CreekDan Eberly

Joe GallmanCoconut Creek (Sgts)

Fred SheltonCoconut Creek (Lts)

John LeonardHallandale Beach

Todd Crevier Marc Dady

Mike McKenzie Pietro Roccisano - Alt.

Hillsboro BeachDavid ClarkHollywood

Derik Alexander Steven Bolger Dan Bromley

Richard LosenbeckLauderhill

Greg SolowskyLighthouse Point

Chris OhCarmen Roldan

Margate (Spvrs)Andy ZettekMiramar

George Mankowski Lonnie Nix

Thomas Tiberio Lawrence Calicchio - Alt.

Osvaldo Gomez - Alt. Adam Lerner - Alt.Pembroke Pines

Dan Donato Adam Feiner Chris Grant

Sea Ranch LakesRon Stabile

SunriseJoel Schiller

Sunrise (Lts)Bob Dorn

Wilton ManorsNicholas Fiacco

Shawn Chadwick Legislative Coordinators

Chris PalamaraImmediate Past President

Pat HanrahanPast Presidents

Dick BrickmanSteve Bias

Welcome To Our New Members

Senior Vice PresidentDebbie Reggio

Vice PresidentRodney Skirvin

TreasurerDrew Brooks

SecretaryLee Martin

PresidentJeff Marano

Office StaffOffice Manager/Detail Coordinator

Kim

ReceptionistMaryann

MembershipAnn

Legal Assistant Irene

Communications DirectorLeonard

General Counsel Julio

General CounselJulio Gonzalez, Jr.

ActiveMarilyn Doster ................................................ Broward Sheriff OfficeScott Longo ..................................................... Broward Sheriff OfficeVincent Torres ................................................ Broward Sheriff OfficeJustin Abram ................................................................ Hollywood PDAdrian Almanza ........................................................... Hollywood PDAndrew Archer ............................................................ Hollywood PDJason Eller .................................................................... Hollywood PDKristopher Lawrence .................................................... Hollywood PDCarl LeBlanc ................................................................. Hollywood PDWalter Propst .............................................................. Hollywood PDDenise Cadet ........................................................ Wilton Manors PDPatrick Newton ..................................................... Wilton Manors PD

RetiredVincent Affanato ........................................................Hollywood P.DRobert Wolfkill .............................................................Hollywood P.DMike Calise ...................................................................... Sunrise P.D

Notice:Please be sure to update your address with the PBA if it changes. The PBA does not automatically receive address changes from the agencies so if you change it with your agency, you need to contact us as well.

Our office hours are 8:30AM to 4:30PM

Page 2 - The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 - bcpba.org bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 -


We Endorse...We have a lot of upcom-ing elections in our area and the following are just a partial list of the candi-dates that we are endors-ing. We selected them because of their long outstanding relationship with law enforcement.

Each of these candidates went through a detailed interview with the BCPBA board. Of course we can’t

in any way tell you who to vote for, but we do hope that you will follow our suggestions.

Pictured on top of the page is Felicia Brunson who is running for the School Board of Broward County, District 1.

We are also endorsingBroward County Mayor Barbara Sharief for County Commission in District 8, (pictured above), as well as Coco-nut Creek Vice Mayor Lisa Kohner Aronson for County Commission in District 2, (pictured right)

Additionally, we are endors-ing State Representative Joe Gibbons as the democratic candidate in the primary election for County Commis-sion in District 6, (pictured right) along with Fort Lau-derdale Attorney and former Commissioner Ken Keechl as the democratic candi-date in the primary election for County Commission in District 4. (pictured below at the BCPBA offices)

We will continue to update you with any new candidate that we choose to endorse.

Every vote is important so please remember to get out and vote. If you are not yet registered to vote you can do so on-line or at your local library, or at the department of motor vehicles.

If you wish to participate in the pri-mary elections, you must register as a member of a party.

Voting is the responseability of every citizen in this nation. Remember that no election is too small to miss or too large that your vote does not count.

Endorsements – Page 4

Dog of the Month – Page 5

Words from our VP – Page 6

Arizona Pension Rights – Page 7

Dog of the Month


Coconut Creek K-9 Officer B. Valenti with Vito

Lauderhill Lieutenants Sign Contract

Lauderhill Police Lieutenants recently signed their inaugural contract on February 3rd 2014. The contract was formed and ratified after only three meetings with City Officials. The con-tract was met with a unanimous “yes” vote by both the police lieutenants and the Lauderhill City Commission.

The Lauderhill police lieutenants began the PERC process, put together the framework for a new contract, which included pay increases and arbitrative rights, and completed the nego-tiation process all within three months.

During the Lauderhill City Commission meeting on January 27th, Lauderhill City Manager Charles “Chuck” Faranda took a few minutes during the communication portion of the meet-ing to thank the lieutenants for the hard work they put forth for the City and commend those involved in the negotiations

process as he stated it was one of the most professional con-tractual experiences he has been involved with.

This successful negotiation process could not have taken place without the assistance of Lauderhill Police Chief Andrew Smalling, PBA General Counsel Julio Gonzalez and Lieutenant Gregory Solowsky (Lieutenants Representative).

It’s PBA Scholarship Time Do you need money for college? Are you a full or part-time student at an accredited two or four-year College or univer-sity? Apply for the 2014 PBA Scholarship.

Applicants must be the son or daughter of a Broward PBA member. The parent must have at least two years of PBA membership and currently be a member in good standing.

Applications can be downloaded from our website: bcpba.org/scholarship. The deadline for the completed applications is Monday, April 15. (by 4:30 pm)

The question this year is: With the country in the last few years going through difficult times, how do you see your college edu-cation helping improve this country?

From The EditorWelcome to our March/April issue. Please do not forget to join us on Instgram. Our social media outreach is growing and we want you to be part of it! Got a story? We want to hear from you. Send a submission to [email protected]

Log on to our website www.bcpba.org to access our new face-book, google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, & Instagram pages.

Help Dillon Fight CancerPlease help us support Dillon’s courageous fight against brain cancer. He was diagnosed with a very aggressive brain tumor known as stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) Please keep Dillon in your thoughts. Like the support page here -https://www.facebook.com/dillonsdreamteam

Checks can be payable to BCPBA Hope Fund with Dillon Brooks written in the memo section and mailed to:

BCPBA Hope Fund2650 W. State Road 84Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312954.584.7600

Dillon’s father is Drew Brooks, who is a member of the Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Police Department. For more info contact: Ysela Heim @ 1-954-249-2614


A few words from the Vice President Greetings from the PBA. I hope that you had a great Valentines and Presidents Day. Once again this month we are busy keeping the wheels of the Broward County political machine oiled. By the time you receive this message we will have been to several events already but here are the highlights this month.

Senior Vice President Debbie Reggio and I attended a fun-draiser for Ft. Lauderdale Vice Mayor Bobby DuBose. Vice Mayor DuBose is now running for State Representative due to his position with Ft. Lauderdale being term limited. SVP Reg-gio and President Marano also attended an event for Dennis Bailey who is running for Broward County Circuit Court Judge. Most of the Executive Board, including myself, will be attend-ing a fundraiser for long time friend, State Representative Joe Gibbons. Representative Gibbons has term limited out in the House of Representatives and is now running for County Com-missioner. County Commissioner Chip Lamarca and Broward County Mayor Barbara Shariff will be stopping by the office this week as will Governor hopeful Nan Rich.

The legislative session begins next month and your Executive Board already has made plans to be in Tallahassee for several weeks. There are several bills that have already been filed that have the potential to negatively affect your pensions and

future. Both the FRS and local pensions will be attacked this session and we will do our best to represent you and your needs while we are at the Capitol. Please remember to sup-port the candidates that support us. Hopefully many learned an important political lesson during the last Govenors race in which it doesn’t matter which party you belong to, you must vote for the people that are supporting your needs.

Negotiations with the City of Margate are going well and hope-fully we will have a deal that can be voted on soon. The same goes for the Lieutenants of Coconut Creek. We have had two sessions and hopefully we will be able to come to an agree-ment very soon. Buckle up, drive safe, and remember to look out for one another!

Rod Skirvin Vice President

Warning Warning Warning...It has been reported to the BSO Command that deputies have been using their marked units in HOV lanes and speeding, when they are traveling to and from work in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties. The BCPBA is asking all BSO deputies residing in Palm Beach and Miami- Dade to cease and desist. It has been reported that deputies will probably lose the use of their take home vehicles.

The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 - bcpba.org bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 -

Top Cop Pistol Championship Charity Event The Broward Sheriff’s Advisory Council along with the support of the Broward Sheriff’s Office will be proudly hosting their inaugural Top Cop Pistol Championship Charity Event on April 18th and 19th, 2014.

Every year numerous law enforcement officers and firefighters are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. In the spirit of those who still serve, the Broward Sheriff’s Advisory Council invite you to join their efforts in helping the families of these heroes, who while protecting and insuring the safety of the communities they served, gave the ultimate sacrifice.

This is a two day event with a Dinner/Tribute to Officers and Firefighters killed in the line of duty in Broward County. The dinner will be held on Friday evening April 18, 2014, during which the Sheriff will pay tribute to the fallen officers. Also that evening numerous desirable items will be raffled. On the second day, Saturday April 19, 2014, active duty police officers from all of Broward County will compete for the prestigious “TOP COP TROPHY”, which will be awarded by the Sheriff im-

mediately following the competition. A permanent “TOP COP TROPHY” inscribed with the winners name, will also be on display in the department of the winning officer for one year.

As honored guests, many family members of the fallen or disabled heroes will be in attendance. Let this testament of appreciation ensure to the families that their loved one’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Did you know that an officer’s paycheck stops the week he is killed? Your support helps many grieving families in their time of greatest need with immediate financial support.

We are currently seeking sponsors and donations for the raffle. The sponsors and donors will be recognized with banners, media, magazine, flyers, and promotional material. All funds raised are administered through the BSAC’s non-profit 501(c) 3. The significance of these brave men and women’s contribu-tions cannot be minimized. We invite you to join the Broward Sheriff’s Advisory Council in supporting this worthy cause. One Hundred percent of the proceeds benefit the families of Bro-ward County’s fallen and disabled heroes. Thank you so much for your support and consideration in this matter.

Respectfully, Detective Joe KesslingTop Cop Team - 954-812-6836

Arizona Supreme Court Upholds Constitutional Pension Rightsby The Voice of Public PensionsNCPERS Files Important Amicus Curiae Brief on Behalf of Pen-sioners

In a closely watched decision, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion on February 20, 2014 upholding a trial court decision finding a reduction in post retirement benefits to retired judges and other elected officials violated the pensions clause of the Arizona Constitution.

In 1998, the electors of Arizona adopted a constitutional pro-tection for retirement benefits against impairment or diminu-tion. Notwithstanding that public referendum, the Legislature altered the guaranteed post retirement benefit formula in 2011 causing a substantial reduction in the gain sharing for-mula. In response, a group of retired judges filed suit claiming the legislation was an unconstitutional impairment of the pen-sion contract. An Arizona trial court agreed and struck down the law.

On appeal to the Supreme Court of Arizona, the Retirement System argued that the impairment was financially neces-sary, applying a traditional federal impairment of contract test which balances the contract against public necessity. The Su-preme Court rejected that argument finding that the language of the Arizona Constitution was intended to add an additional measure of protection to pension benefits. Perhaps even more important is the Court’s finding that the term “benefit” includes the formula by which future payments will be calcu-lated. (continues on page 9)

The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 - bcpba.org bcpba.org - The Broward Centurion March/April 2014 -

This decision represents a major victory for the protection of public employment retirement benefits, particularly in jurisdic-tions with constitutionally protected pension contract rights. NCEPRS filed a friend of the court brief on behalf of the retir-ees authored by NCPERS General Counsel Bob Klausner and Adam Levinson.

For nearly 75 years, NCPERS has been the Voice of Public Pensions, frequently filing briefs in cases of importance to the public pension community.

The decision is Fields v. Elected Officers Retirement Plan, 2014 WL 644467 (2/20/14).

The 17th AnnualFlorida Tour de Force Bicycle RideApril 7th, 2014 thru April 11th, 2014

There is still time to register! The 2014 Tour de Force police charity bicycle ride is set to kick off April 7th in North Mi-ami Beach and end in Daytona Beach Shores on April 11th. The Tour is a 5-day ride that averages approximately 50-55 miles each day at a moderate pace (15-17 mph) and will pass through 42 law enforcement jurisdictions.

The tour is a fully support-ed ride with police escorts provided by the Florida Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Departments and local Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the state. This is an awareness ride, not a race! Breaks are sched-uled approximately every 12-13 miles and the ride is designed to accommodate both inexperienced riders and seasoned cyclists. Last year over 800 law enforce-ment personnel from across the state partici-pated with over 30 riders completing the entire 270-mile trek to Daytona Beach Shores.

The inaugural 1997 Tour was dedicated to Trooper Robert Smith who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver. The Tour has grown in size each year and we are proud to announce that as a non-profit charity organization, we have raised over $250,000.00 for families of fallen officers and law enforcement related organizations. A total of $36,000.00 was paid out to five families for the 2013 Tour.

This year’s tour will benefit the families of all fallen Florida Law Enforcement Officers that were lost in the line of duty dur-ing 2013. The citizens, media and various law enforcements throughout the state have supported the ride over the past fourteen years’ with great enthusiasm. If you are interested in riding in the tour, please register at floridatourdeforce.org

Read our “Letter to the Editor” posted in the Sun-Sentinel Opinions Section!No checks and balances for bad police chiefs

By Jeff MaranoMarch 11, 2014

Many years ago the Florida Department of law enforcement and the Florida Criminal Justice, Standards and Training Com-mission put in place a process to track and address misconduct of certified law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Prior to the mandatory reporting of misconduct by the agency, officers who were guilty of anything — ranging from brutality to violations of moral turpitude — were given the option of resigning with no documentation in their personnel file. The agencies benefited by not having to litigate the dismissal and avoided the public embarrassment of the officer’s actions. The officer would simply move on to another agency and continue the same behavior until he or she was caught again.

To stop these officers from going from department to depart-ment the state enacted mandatory guidelines for reporting

police misconduct. Now an officer has to appear before the commission (CJSTC) for a decertification hear-ing, which often results in losing their ticket.

Unfortunately, there is no such process for weeding out bad chiefs. They go from department to depart-ment, state to state and destroy great agencies. They look exemplary on paper and interview well. The truth is while coming up through the ranks, their agencies send them to schools and seminars to get them

out of the building. They get credentials and certificates that would impress any lay person.

In time they become dictators. Their autocratic leadership destroys morale and sends members into flight or retirement. They promote subordinates who tell them what they want to hear and now the rank file has to live with these supervisors after the bad chief moves on. While they are finding a place to land, other bad chiefs throw them a bone and let them teach a class or issue a report as a consultant.

Our message hits the sky in Hollywood! “City of Hollywood High Crime Area. Thanks Chief Fernandez!”

Member Marketplace Open to Active PBA Members


Broward County Police Benevolent Association

2650 West State Road 84Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312

©2014 Broward County PBA

NONPROFIT ORG.U S POSTAGE

PAID WEST PALM BEACH, FL

PERMIT NO. 1946

centurion - bcpba.org · dog of the month page 4 - the broward centurion march/april 2014 -...

Documents