LEO Round Table is an internet based law enforcement talk show. This is episode 15, recorded on 02/01/2016, with the following on-air personalities: Chip DeBlock (Host), Luke Lirot (Attorney), Mark Hopper, Bret Bartlett, Dan O’Kelly and Bob Alsip. We produce two 30 minute shows each week that are normally released on our YouTube channel Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition to your host, the other panelists (except for attorney Luke Lirot) are retired or active law enforcement officers as well.
Topic 1 concerns 7 Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office recruits and 1 deputy who were caught in a cheating scandal. According to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, deputy and training officer Eric Biddle knew recruit Darold Cook and shared test material with him. Recruit Cook shared this information with recruits Julia Hopkins, Joshua Mason, Thomas McDonnell, Bruce Ramos, Diana Shoemaker and Michael Walker. Deputy Biddle resigned and the 7 recruits were fired.
Topic 2 concerns Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Timothy Virden being arrested and charged with Attempted Manslaughter. Initially Sheriff Bob Gualtieri backed Deputy Virden in the December 30th, 2015 shooting of Dylan Tompkins-Holmes due to information available to him at the time. After the sheriff’s office month long investigation, it was determined that Deputy Virden lied about the events and had no legal justification to shoot Tompkins-Holmes.
Topic 3 concerns New York Governor Andrew Cuomo redirecting $60 million allocated for police vests and cameras to pay for other expenses.
Topic 4 concerns Florida bills seeking to reform police seizures. Senate Bill 1044 (SB 1044) sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes and HB 883 sponsored by Rep. Matt Caldwell require someone to be charged with a crime before their property can be taken and, if law enforcement is going to keep the property, the individual must be convicted of that crime. Senate Bill 220 (SB 220) sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean requires agencies to report the property seized.
