Coastal Florida PBA

03/13/2026

The CFPBA is aware of the videos being viewed around central Florida today of an arrest that took place Wednesday evening in Daytona Beach. First, we would like to recognize the Daytona Beach Police Department and Chief Young for taking a measured approach and letting the facts, not hysterics, rule the day. We would also like to thank those in the media who have correctly pointed out that the arrestee was not cooperative, was actively resisting arrest by interfering with the officer's hands during the incident, and ignoring numerous lawful commands. We will vigorously defend our officer, regardless of what the armchair quarterbacking and showboating career politicians and local activists - all of whom have exactly zero training in law enforcement - think of the matter.

03/12/2026

It's a great day for law enforcement and their families throughout Florida. Yesterday the Officer Jason Raynor Act cleared its final hurdle in the legislature and how heads to the governor for his approval. This bill is the result of nearly three years of work between the PBA, the legislature and the prosecutors in Florida. Upon becoming law, killing a cop - even manslaughter - will net you life in prison, unlike the reprehensible human being that took the life of Officer Raynor in 2021. A proud Daytona Beach Police Officer, Jason Raynor was deprived of decades of life while proactively doing the job he swore to do while his killer will be free from prison somewhere around his 50th birthday. That must never happen again. The PBA wishes to thank Senator Tom Leek and Representative Jessica Baker for shepherding this new law through the legislature. Without them, this needed change would not have happened. The PBA looks forward to seeing Governor Ron DeSantis sign this into law very soon.

02/20/2026

The CFPBA has worked this week to address a recent violent attack on the boardwalk in Daytona Beach. While there have been several local news accounts of this shocking incident, it is important that speculation about what our members “could” have done to prevent it by arresting the attacker during an earlier incident at a nearby convenience store be taken into the proper context.

This was a transient man with a lengthy rap sheet who had been in and out of jail (including a dropped charge by prosecutors just days prior) for several years and was issued a trespass warning from the business on the morning of the February 14th. Our officers are peacekeepers, and removing the suspect from the situation was the proper course of action at that time. Both the suspect and the would-be victim that morning appear to have had an ongoing personal dispute and may have engaged in a mutual physical exchange and with neither wishing to press charges, there was little else our members could at the time.

Our sympathy is with the young man who came within an inch of being killed last weekend. To be clear, the boy’s family is rightfully frustrated at the entire system. The residents and visitors of Daytona Beach deserve protection from this type of violent activity. But to cast blame on a department which is routinely overworked during special events and which is also hamstrung by laws governing transients, is unfair to our members.

Homelessness, mental irregularities, and substance abuse are problems in many communities, and Daytona Beach is no exception. It is our sincere hope that the men and women of this department are given the staffing and resources they need to mitigate these difficult situations in the future. gd er

02/12/2026

Last night a traffic stop occurred in Daytona Beach where two of our hardworking members were addressing repeated traffic concerns in one of the city’s neighborhoods. In this stop, the wife of a local official was released without a citation. Our members acted professionally and were doing their jobs as assigned – combatting ongoing violations on this particular city block with proactive enforcement. At no time were they discourteous, nor did they do anything worthy of a passive-aggressive social media response from the driver’s spouse or unhelpful involvement from other family members who then arrived on scene. We support our officers through thick and thin and want to thank these individuals for doing their job thoroughly and expeditiously, even when faced with undeserved criticism and implied allegations of wrongdoing. Our members deserve respect from all corners of the community they serve. It is the hope and belief of the PBA that future legitimate law enforcement matters like this occur without our members fearing reprisal or intimidation on the part of elected officials. In closing, thank you as well to the citizens of the city and the department itself, all of whom have demonstrated their consistent support for the men and women of the DBPD.

01/17/2026

Apologies for the late evening post, but it’s that time of year again. The legislative session began Tuesday and as usual, much is at stake these next two months for our members. Every CFPBA member is also a member of our statewide association, Florida PBA, which counting all of you, represents close to 30,000 law enforcement professionals from Pensacola to Key West. FLPBA is a titan in Tallahassee when it comes to lobbying our state officials for budgetary and law changes on your behalf. Please check this out to learn more and be on the lookout for this each week through the middle of March.

Introducing "Under the Dome" — the Florida PBA's weekly legislative update.

Updated each week to keep you informed on what’s happening in Tallahassee and how it might impact you.

📖 Read Week One at the link in our bio and below!

🔗https://florida-pba.paperturn-view.com/under-the-dome-magazine?pid=ODk8925955

09/16/2025

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we report the death of another of our fine members. Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell was murdered in cold blood this afternoon while entering a convenience store near his home. This tragic, intentional, disgusting act is proof once again that the dangers our members face every day are too real and too frightening to ponder. May God bless the Jewell family and the rest of our amazing Edgewater PD members during this impossible time. There will undoubtedly be ways to help his family in the days ahead so please stay tuned.

04/03/2025

The Jason Raynor Act, a priority for the PBA and law enforcement everywhere, just passed unanimously in the Florida Senate. Thank you, Senator Tom Leek, for your tremendous work in getting this accomplished. It now heads to the House this afternoon where it is expected to pass in similar fashion. Violence against law enforcement is completely unacceptable and this law will help send that message to our entire state.

07/24/2024

04/23/2024

Today we mourn the loss of a veteran Florida PBA staffer, retired Tampa PD officer, and most recently, Pasco County Commissioner. Gary Bradford was a friend to thousands of people throughout our state and a gentleman to the very end. Cops in Florida knew no greater friend in Tallahasee every legislative session than Gary, as he was a tireless voice for law enforcement needs and respected for his work. We will miss you, Commissioner Bradford. Rest in Peace, old friend.

Pasco County Commissioner Gary Bradford has died, county officials announced Monday.

03/15/2024

Today our hearts go out to the professional men and women of the Holly Hill Police Department, an agency CFPBA has proudly represented for close to 50 years. There is nothing easy or pleasant about working under a magnifying glass when things occur above your pay grade and of which you have no control. Yet we at the PBA have as much faith and confidence in our hardworking Holly Hill Officer and Sergeant members as we do any other day. Regardless of the scrutiny and the difficulty of what comes with unsolicited community and media attention, these men and women will continue to uphold the law and maintain order through their service to Holly Hill as they do every day. The community at large should sleep comfortably knowing that these dedicated professionals are on the job and serving their community. We also thank the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and the city leaders in Holly Hill for investigating any and all allegations of wrongdoing in the department properly, fairly, and timely as they are doing and will continue to do. Their support of our members is invaluable and appreciated.

03/04/2024