Title
Accept Funding from Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (B)
This is a request for City Commission approval to accept State funds available from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (RDESF) via the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, serving as the fiduciary and fiscal agent for Region III of the RDESF, for reimbursement of overtime costs or costs related to the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to prescribed controlled substances incurred by the Gainesville Police Department Special Investigations Division as part of the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force (B)
Explanation
On November 1, 2007, the Gainesville Police Department Special Investigations Division (GPD SID) combined with the Alachua County Sheriffs' Office Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit (ASO NOCU), along with the University of Florida Police Department (UPD) to form the Gainesville - Alachua County Drug Task Force (DTF).
Recently two funding sources have been developed by the taskforce to combat abuse of prescription drugs. The 2011 Florida Legislature passed CS/CS/HB 7095 during its regular session in recognition of the public health emergency presented by prescription drug abuse and overdoses and the propensity of some practitioners to dispense unjustifiable amounts of controlled substances to addicts and persons engaged in the illicit sale of prescription controlled substances. The act was signed into law on June 3, 2011 as Chapter 2011-141, Laws of Florida.
Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Forces (RDESF) have been established in all seven regions of Florida covered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to coordinate the identification, investigation, prosecution and dismantling of "pill mill" operations at the local level. $3 million in funds have been allocated for reimbursement of expenses to all Strike Forces.
Investigative targets will be pursued using intelligence, surveillance, undercover agents, informants, arrest of drug abusers, and other investigative techniques to identify and apprehend doctors and other healthcare officials who engage in illegal prescription or dispensing of pharmaceutical drugs. Strike force members will also pursue administrative and regulatory sanctions against healthcare professionals and facilities to put illegal operations out of business in Florida and seek restitution for insurance fraud and fraud against the Medicaid system.
FDLE will disburse the funds for the Region III RDESF to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office to serve as the fiduciary and fiscal agent for the purpose of distributing funds for the reimbursement of overtime costs or for costs incurred during the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to prescribed controlled substances.
Additionally, Federal JAG Byrne Grant # 2011-ARRC-ALAC-1-W7-354 was awarded to the Alachua County Sheriff's, the CFDA# is 16.803. This is a Recovery Act Grant, the city will be signing an MOU with the Alachua County Sheriffs Office. This grant pays for investigative costs excluding personnel expenses.
Fiscal Note
Funds for the Region III RDESF in the amount of $220,000.00 are available through the Alachua County Sheriff's Office for disbursement to all law enforcement agencies within Region III as allowable per Section 28 of CH 2011-141, Laws of Florida, to cover overtime costs or costs related to the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to prescribed controlled substances. The Gainesville Police Department anticipates requests to the fund not to exceed $30,000.
The second component of this item is a grant for $100,000 which allows for the reimbursement of investigative costs. It is anticipated that the Gainesville Police Department's request will not exceed $15,000.
Recommendation
A. The City Commission approve the ability of the Gainesville Police Department to request reimbursement of overtime and investigative costs from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, who is acting as the fiduciary and fiscal agent for the Region III Strike Force, for any and all cases that meet the above criteria, by the Gainesville Police Department Special Investigations Division, as part of the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force.
B. The City Commission denies participation in the reimbursement programs and that the expenses for this enforcement effort will be charged to the general fund.