Tampa Police Major Writes Her 3rd Law Tallahassee media will be covering Governor's event for affiliate news feeds
What: Tampa Police Chief Steve Hogue and Major Sophie Teague celebrate House Bill 57, which is being signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist today. TPD's news conference coincides with Governor's news conference and bill signing in Tallahassee. TPD Police Explorer Raidel Martinez will be with the Governor and Mayor Pam Iorio in Tallahassee for the bill signing.
Where: Tampa Police Headquarters, 411 North Franklin Street, Downtown Tampa
When: Tuesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m.
Details:
State Representative Betty Reed and Senator Tony Hill sponsored the Law Enforcement Explorer Bill written by Tampa Police Major Sophie Teague. Both bill sponsors will be present for the news conference in Tampa. Police Explorers on patrol will be protected under the Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer Statute, a 3rd degree felony. Tampa Police Major Sophie Teague was prompted to draft the new legislation when the Explorer's supervisor made her aware that under current law, Explorers weren't covered under the Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer Statute. This was prompted after 16-year-old Tampa Police Explorer Raidel Martinez was assaulted by a suspect during an arrest in December 2007.
This is Major Teague's third bill. Her first became law on July 1, 2004 - Harassment of Neighborhood Watch Member. This law makes it a misdemeanor for suspects to harass neighborhood watch members who are working with police to improve their community.
Major Teague's second law went into effect July 1, 2006- Luring and Enticing of a Child. This law closed a loophole in the Florida Statutes by making luring a child a crime. Prior to this legislation, officers could only charge a suspect for luring a child if the suspect had a prior criminal history of offenses against children.
Police Explorers provide a valuable service to the community while also learning the basics of law enforcement practices. Many of our young men and women of the post are future officers who will serve our city.
