Politics

Police chiefs object to veto

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published July 10, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - A statewide police chiefs group criticized Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday for vetoing a bill that would have increased fines to pay for police training programs.

The Florida Police Chiefs Association said it was very disappointed with the veto of a bill that would have raised a court assessment from $3 to $4 per case.

It is unusual for a law enforcement group to criticize a sitting governor. Crist ran for governor on a platform that stressed the need to improve public safety.

The chiefs said the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund has received no increase in funding since 1986, even though the number of officers in the state has more than doubled since 1991.

In a statement, the association's president, Juno Beach police Chief H.C. "Skip" Clark, said the prospect of mandatory property tax cuts made the $1 increase even more critical.

The fee increase was in a bill sponsored by then-Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, and Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton. It passed the Legislature unanimously, and Crist vetoed it June 29.

In his veto message, Crist said he objected to the fact that the fee increase would apply to noncriminal infractions such as traffic, swimming, diving and boating violations.

"Placing an additional financial burden on someone who may have only violated a swimming or diving regulation is unreasonable," Crist said.

Crist's office had no comment Monday in response to the criticism.

[Last modified July 10, 2007, 06:55:59]