Governor Signs ‘Officer Down’ Alert Order

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has signed an executive order that extends current statewide alerting procedures to include the broadcast of offender information for those killing or seriously injuring law enforcement officers. Crist signed the order ahead of National Police Week, which is next week. Under the order, suspect information would appear on highway message signs and other through media outlets, intended to help capture suspects through public tips. Read the full order here.

STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-81

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers provide unselfish service to the State; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, sixteen law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in Florida; and

WHEREAS, criminals who have committed these heinous crimes frequently take flight and pose a substantial risk to the community; and

WHEREAS, a coordinated law enforcement response coupled with the prompt and widespread sharing of information during these incidents is critical; and

WHEREAS, one of the best ways to protect our citizens is through the coordinated partnership of state agencies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, Governor of Florida, pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, effective immediately:

Section 1.

The Department of Transportation and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Highway Patrol are directed to coordinate with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to immediately broadcast critical information about an offender or offenders who have killed or seriously injured a law enforcement officer to the general public via dynamic highway message signs and other advisory methods as deemed appropriate and available to these agencies.