The Palm Bay Police Department's first-ever Citizens Academy starts February 3rd. We detail the eight-week curriculum, who should apply, and the mandatory notarized forms required for submission.
Florida’s new laws enacted in 2024 significantly restrict and reshape how citizens advisory (or oversight) boards can operate regarding police departments:
Civilian police oversight boards are now prohibited from investigating complaints or allegations of police misconduct. Only the internal affairs divisions within law enforcement agencies can conduct those investigations.
Boards can no longer review or make recommendations about individual officer incidents or discipline. They are limited to providing input or advisory feedback only on general policies, procedures, training, and systemic issues, not specific complaints or closed case reviews.
Members of new or continuing advisory boards must be appointed by the police chief or sheriff. In some setups, these panels must include at least one retired law enforcement officer. Boards are no longer independent; they are, by law, subordinate to the agency leadership.
Most existing civilian or citizen review boards across Florida have dissolved or essentially lost authority since July 1, 2024, when these restrictions took effect. New setups may meet much less frequently, with reduced roles, limited transparency (for example, meetings may not be recorded), and no investigative power.
The relevant new statutes are amended sections of Chapter 112, specifically section 112.533, and House Bill 601 (2024).
In short: Florida’s new law essentially ended independent civilian oversight of police misconduct. Participation is now advisory, boards are controlled by law enforcement, and their authority is limited to discussing policy, not holding officers accountable for misconduct. Supporters say this creates uniformity and shields officers from what they call political pressure, but critics point out it drastically reduces transparency and public trust.
While maybe it will lead to a citizen advisory board
Florida’s new laws enacted in 2024 significantly restrict and reshape how citizens advisory (or oversight) boards can operate regarding police departments:
Civilian police oversight boards are now prohibited from investigating complaints or allegations of police misconduct. Only the internal affairs divisions within law enforcement agencies can conduct those investigations.
Boards can no longer review or make recommendations about individual officer incidents or discipline. They are limited to providing input or advisory feedback only on general policies, procedures, training, and systemic issues, not specific complaints or closed case reviews.
Members of new or continuing advisory boards must be appointed by the police chief or sheriff. In some setups, these panels must include at least one retired law enforcement officer. Boards are no longer independent; they are, by law, subordinate to the agency leadership.
Most existing civilian or citizen review boards across Florida have dissolved or essentially lost authority since July 1, 2024, when these restrictions took effect. New setups may meet much less frequently, with reduced roles, limited transparency (for example, meetings may not be recorded), and no investigative power.
The relevant new statutes are amended sections of Chapter 112, specifically section 112.533, and House Bill 601 (2024).
In short: Florida’s new law essentially ended independent civilian oversight of police misconduct. Participation is now advisory, boards are controlled by law enforcement, and their authority is limited to discussing policy, not holding officers accountable for misconduct. Supporters say this creates uniformity and shields officers from what they call political pressure, but critics point out it drastically reduces transparency and public trust.