Florida's Civilian Police Oversight Crumbles Under New Law
2025-01-11
A new Florida law has led to the dissolution or suspension of at least 15 civilian review boards tasked with overseeing police misconduct investigations. The law mandates that only law enforcement agencies can investigate such misconduct, effectively stripping civilian boards of their oversight power. Supporters claim this ensures consistency in investigations, while critics fear it will damage community-police relations and erode public trust. This move, seen as the latest in a series of pro-law enforcement actions by Florida's GOP-led legislature, has sparked significant controversy.