Violent Crime and Drug Council
943.031 Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council
In 1993, the Florida Violent Crime Council was established to financially assist local law enforcement agencies in extraordinary violent crime cases. After Florida’s crime trend slightly shifted from violent crime to drug crimes, the 2001 Legislative Session approved the expansion of the Council to include funding for drug investigations. Renamed the Violent Crime and Drug Control Council (Council), the Council now has the ability to provide supplemental funding to local and state law enforcement agencies working violent crime, major drug and money laundering investigations, and victim/witness protection and relocation efforts. The Legislature supports the funding of the Council on a year-to-year basis.
As prescribed by statute, the Council membership is comprised of 14 members to advise the FDLE Executive Director (Commissioner) and make recommendations on the development and implementation of initiatives to combat violent crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Eight members of the Council are standing members by virtue of their positions, and 6 are appointed by the Governor. Council members receive no compensation, but are reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses. Members appointed by the Governor serve 2-year terms and the standing members serve as long as they hold office or employment that was the basis for their appointment to the Council. The FDLE provides the Council with the support necessary to assist in the performance of its duties.
The Council is required to meet twice a year to review funding requests and to discuss crime issues having the most impact on Florida’s citizens and visitors. At these meetings, the Council is briefed by experts in various disciplines on emerging crime trends and issues in Florida. Members of the Council and the Regional Coordinating Teams (representing state and local law enforcement agencies in each of the FDLE regions) collectively discuss solutions to combat drug and violent crime; these solutions often include legislative recommendations, technology innovations, improved investigative techniques, enhanced communication, and advanced training for law enforcement officers and criminal justice agencies. An annual report on the activities of the Council is produced each year in December.
At this time, funding is not available for the Council to assist law enforcement agencies.