FLORIDA PUBLIC RECORDS LAW for LAW ENFORCEMENT

TOPIC: Going back to the earliest organized societies in history, records of some sort have been kept. In the United States, there has been a common law expectation to access court records, which has evolved into access to records of most government entities, both on a federal, state, and local level. With the adoption of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 1966, the federal government established the right of citizens to access to government records. Many states followed, some even including access to records in the state constitution. In Florida, the earliest public records law was passed in 1909, and in 1992 was made part of the Florida Constitution. Today, Florida is known as having the most expansive public records law in the country.

Law enforcement agencies face many challenges in carrying out their responsibility to investigate crimes and arrest those who commit crimes. That responsibility can create unique issues when the public expects transparency in government operations. This class will discuss the role and responsibility that law enforcement personnel have in responding to requests for information.

Some of the issues covered will include:

*Overview and history of Florida public records law and FOIA

*Rights and responsibilities of the agency and requester

*Case study and application

*Review, redaction and response

*Policy and Practice recommendations

*Conclusion

TARGET AUDIENCE: Members of the criminal justice and legal community (sworn or non-sworn), administrators, records managers and support staff.

INSTRUCTOR: Rick Courtemanche has been a practicing attorney in the State of Florida for 30 years and has over 20 years of experience in public records. Mr. Courtemanche served 15 years as Assistant City Attorney/Police Legal Advisor to the Tallahassee Police Department, providing advice and counsel to the Department on public records. He currently serves as Deputy General Counsel for the Florida Bar, where his primary responsibility is to coordinate the Bar’s responsibility to respond to request for records from members and the public.

Mr. Courtemanche has lectured on a variety of subjects nationally on behalf of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Executive Institute, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Savant Learning Systems, the Florida Records Management Association, and Training Force USA. He has also lectured for Daytona State College, Tallahassee Community College, as well as several Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices throughout Florida.

DATES & TIMES:

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Class starts at 1:00 PM Sharp – and ends at 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)

COST: $199.00 per person, (plus $3.00 Eventbrite fee + credit card fee if applicable)

LOCATION: Online Zoom Class

(Class materials and a Zoom Link will be sent out one week prior to the class)

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

• Check made payable to:

TRAINING FORCE USA

3681 Loma Farm Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309

• Purchase Order

• Credit Card payment made online

Cancellations and Substitutions:

• Upon submission of this registration, participants are responsible for payment of this course. At the discretion of Training Force USA, credit for the amount paid may be issued toward a future course. Please note that if you do not attend, you are still responsible for payment.

• Substitutions may be made at any time by phone, e-mail or online at the registration site.

QUESTIONS: Phone: 850-251-1223 E-mail: contactus@trainingforceusa.com

WWW.TRAININGFORCEUSA.COM