How To Make Cops COMPLY

How I made cops COMPLY

Many times, we face challenges in getting police to comply with regulations. However, a key avenue to achieving this compliance lies through their insurance policies. This is where significant financial repercussions can occur when things go wrong.

The party holding the most financial clout, typically the insurance company, often has a substantial influence. I will guide you through the process of leveraging insurance carriers to enforce compliance with legal standards.

Recently, the City of Orange City received patrol vehicles equipped with sun-screening tint material. The city approved this installation, allowing officers to operate the vehicles, in violation of the law.

In a recent incident in the city, a woman was tragically killed at night by a police officer driving a city-patrol vehicle. It remains unclear if this vehicle had the dark tint in question. Ironically, while police issue tickets for such violations, they often exempt themselves, unlawfully.

Similarly, the City of Florida removed the tint from their vehicles after realizing their own non-compliance. I use the LASER LABS TINT METER for my assessments, which is the same device used by Florida police for their evaluations.

My Letter to the Insurance Company

JMA MEDIA
725 Dunlawton Ave. #291290
Port Orange, FL 32129
CaseMGMT@jmaudits.com

11/20/2023

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED VIA US PRIORITY MAIL
City of Orange City Police Department
207 N Holly Ave Orange City, FL 32763

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED VIA US PRIORITY MAIL
Public Risk Management of Florida
20 North Orange Ave
Suite 500 Orlando FL 32801
(407) 445-2414

RE: Notice of state law violations and insurance liability risks for vehicles in violation of                  sun screening material operating at night and in adverse weather conditions that affect the visibility for the driver without medical waivers or exemptions allowed by law.

Attention Chief Wayne Miller,

I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter related to the window sun screening material on vehicles belonging to City and the City of Orange City Police Department which is in violation of state statutes. This violation not only affects compliance with the law but also raises concerns regarding the safety of the general public and the liability the city and your insurance company accepts by allowing this to continue.

Florida Statutes prohibit sun screening material under § 316.2952, 316.2953, 316.2954, 316.29545 316.2955 and 316.2956. Exemptions allow for ONLY undercover or canine.

Orange City Police Officers have allowed me to place a calibrated tint meter on patrol vehicles verifying this information.  It was Discovered that several vehicles owned by the City of Orange City Police Department have window sun screening material that appear to be darker than the limit allowed by state law. Some vehicles have the front windscreen tinted. This violation poses a hazard, especially during emergency responses at high rates of speed, as it significantly reduces visibility.

The results yielded were well below the legal limit of 28 percent for window tint darkness, indicating a clear violation of state statutes. This violation not only compromises safety but also sets a concerning example for the community.

It is crucial that we prioritize the safety of our officers and the public they serve. I kindly request that the City of Orange City Police Department take immediate action to rectify these state law violations and mitigate liability so that all vehicles in your fleet comply with state regulations regarding window sun screening material darkness.

Addressing this matter promptly will not only bring the department into compliance with the law but also enhance safety for the community they serve. I appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to a swift resolution.

If you require any further information or assistance in rectifying this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at info@jmaudits.com

This certified letter will be posted on our website, and we will frequently request city involved vehicle crash data and alert the drivers of those vehicles involved so they are aware of the reduced visibility on city owned vehicles.

Sincerely,

JMA MEDIA

Know Your City

JMA MEDIA obtained a copy of the Port Orange Police Procedure Manual: A Citizen’s Guide to Accountability.

In today’s world, transparency and accountability in law enforcement are more important than ever. As citizens, we have the right to know how our local police departments operate, what their procedures entail, and how they are meant to conduct themselves while serving the community. However, it’s not always easy to access this crucial information, as many police departments may require a fee or create barriers to obtaining such documents. In this blog post, we’ll explore the journey of obtaining a copy of the Port Orange Police Procedure Manual and how it can empower citizens to hold their local law enforcement accountable.

The Challenge of Obtaining Police Procedure Manuals

Before we delve into the specifics of the Port Orange Police Department’s procedure manual, it’s essential to understand the challenges one may face when attempting to access these documents. Often, police departments are not readily transparent about their procedures, and they may require citizens to go through a lengthy process, which may include paying for copies or even legal battles.

As an advocate for transparency and accountability, James Madison Audits decided to make this manual available for the public. But obtaining it was not an easy task.

Why It Matters: Understanding Police Procedure Manuals

Police procedure manuals are vital resources that provide insight into how law enforcement officers should conduct themselves while on duty. These manuals outline the correct procedures for everything from arrests and investigations to community interactions and the use of force. For citizens, having access to such documents is a powerful tool for ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate within the law and respect the rights and dignity of those they serve.

Accessing the Port Orange Police Procedure Manual

To make this valuable resource available to the public, James Madison Audits has provided a link where you can download the manual as a zip file. You can access it. Thisdocument allows citizens to gain a deeper understanding of how their local police department should operate and the standards they are held to.

Using the Manual for Accountability

So, you’ve obtained a copy of the Port Orange Police Procedure Manual—what’s next? Here are some ways citizens can use this document to promote transparency and accountability:

1. Educate Yourself: Read through the manual to understand the policies and procedures followed by the Port Orange Police Department.
2. Promote Accountability: Share the information with your community, emphasizing the importance of holding law enforcement accountable.
3. Advocate for Change: If you identify policies or procedures that need improvement or clarification, use this knowledge to advocate for changes in your local police department.
4. Monitor Law Enforcement: With this manual, you can assess whether the actions of law enforcement officers align with the established procedures. This can be a powerful tool when assessing the conduct of police in your community.

By taking these steps, you can play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability within your local law enforcement agencies.

In Conclusion

Access to police procedure manuals is essential for citizens seeking accountability and transparency in their communities. James Madison Audits’ dedication to making the Port Orange Police Procedure Manual accessible is a significant step towards achieving these goals. By using this manual as a tool for knowledge and advocacy, citizens can help ensure that their local law enforcement agencies serve the community in a fair and just manner. Download the zip file, educate yourself, and let the principles of transparency and accountability guide your path towards a safer and more just community.

Mass Exodus from Daytona Beach Shores PD

The Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety, led by Michael Fowler, a resident of New Smyrna Beach. Under his watch and command, you would imagine a small, highly tax funded of mostly condominiums and beach town lifestyle would be the best place to work for. However, anonymous tips came in relating to work environment and crimes taking place within the department.

While many probably believed it was an ideal place to work, especially for officers looking to retire, recent events indicate a different story. Anonymous tips revealed that several officers faced punishment and probation, despite some of them with service of over 5 years.

Internal affairs investigations also exposed instances of retaliation against officers who filed complaints against Lieutenant Michael Shoenbroad, who faced allegations of committing a felony based on sustained internal affairs findings. This situation has taken a toll on the officers, and the department appears to be facing challenges, with a significant number of resignations and retirements.

A request for records from the department revealed 17 resignations, coupled with retirements of those who chose not to participate in the “drop” program offered by the state. As a result, the agency is grappling with a manpower shortage and increased overtime demands.

The question arises: Is Michael Fowler the root cause of these issues? Information from a source suggests that Fowler may indeed be a factor, as the resignations are indicative of how the department is managed. Many officers are opting to work in neighboring areas such as Edgewater, New Smyrna, or the County, while some are leaving the field of police work altogether. Here is a list of the resignations, highlighting the department’s challenges and the impact on its personnel. Below is a list of resignations from late 2022 and 2023.

Crews
Carrazana
Diedesch
Kalmar
Billue
Mcnamara
Peterson
Ramirez
Castellano

Salas
Duffy
Micahel Shoenbroad
Matt Sweeney
Parker Sweeney
Franklin
Zephir
Gaffney

Public Safety Statement

There’s nothing a chief or department administrator dislikes more than a “good” cop who adheres to the law and department policies rather than the directives of a tyrannical leader. However, these good cops are what every agency needs. What happens, though, when you cross the thin blue line (which resides at the chiefs office) and find yourself on the chief’s bad side?

It doesn’t mean arresting your supervisor when they instruct you to issue a ticket for a minor offense, essentially stripping away your discretion. It means politely requesting these instructions in writing, ensuring you understand what is required. When you do this, you might find that administrators take a second look and possibly reconsider their unlawful orders.

You may also know me as a nuisance; your department leaders have probably labeled me as such. When I film a traffic stop, it’s to observe your trained behavior, tell a story, and share it with the public. In the case of Port Orange, they threatened to arrest me while my wife was filming, which initiated my journey into recording police interactions. After that incident, they were in my backyard taking pictures, and ultimately, they brought charges against me for an unrelated incident where I needed medical assistance.

Since that incident with your department in October and even before, you may have noticed a departure of officers from your department. Some officers were accused of leaking information, leading to several investigations. Those officers who complied with the law and the investigation faced harassment and intimidation, with one officer being specifically questioned about leaking information.

Officers often have nowhere to turn when they witness wrongdoing due to the aforementioned repercussions. So, where can you go? If the administration or other officers aren’t listening, your best recourse is to email jamesmadisonaudits@gmail.com. I understand that my videos sometimes cast officers in a negative light, but that’s a consequence of their own actions. I also share positive incidents, even involving the Port Orange police, the same ones who initially clashed with me. I recently received an apology and a handshake from the Port Orange police chief and the officer who threatened to arrest me, which made some mends to the issues I have with them.

I know you do not have a voice while working, and I don’t mind being that voice for you. To protect your identity, I am recognized as bona fide media, making a living from this and protected by Florida shield laws. This is where my sources remain anonymous, and I’m not obligated to disclose any of them. I will never burn a source as they are so valuable to journalism.

However, if you send confidential information or something in violation of the law, there could be consequences for disclosing it. I declined to accept jail cell footage of a child inside, as someone claimed they could obtain it. But if there are other documented ways to access information outside of a logged computer, those methods can’t be traced, send it, but make sure you’re not on a tracked software.

Do not access ARS and then provide case numbers, as that can be tracked. Don’t forward emails directly; instead, note the date and time if they’re sent to multiple people. Never use tag readers, Forcewatch, etc., to provide information. Vague, non-date-identifiable information is preferred. Remember, everything is tracked.

You will continue to witness officers leaving the department, and I understand that you’re stretched thin, working endless overtime in what often seems like a hostile environment. The more we can document, the brighter the future will be. So hang in there.

You can contact me at Jamesmadisonaudits@gmail.com.

Public Records

Public records released to me by the city attorney regarding the case of the 3 year old handcuffed and placed in a jail cell can be found here, in this google drive.

Please let me know if you discover any information that is contained within that has not been covered.

We all knew there has been a shift in the law enforcement, since the 70’s and 80s it is progressively getting worse. Hidden investigations, resignations before investigations end and so much more. After a massive news report in La Vergne Tenn. broke headlines over and over you would think it would be the end of it all. but here’s another bang bang situation that occurred in Florida at the Volusia Sheriffs Office. Originally it came in as no record found but finally – Here’s the shit storm that plagued the training center. The female cop involved kept her job despite being involved in this incident. They all should be fired. Oh, on top of this there’s rumor that a trail cam caught another deputy having sex on duty. Enjoy

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Daytona Beach Shores Cops Put 3 Year old in Jail Cell – Twice; Once Handcuffed

Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety –  “Life is better here”

Two Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Officers are accused of placing their 3 year old child into the departments jail cell on two occasions. Sergeant Jessica Long and Lieutenant Michael Shoenbrod, who have been with the department for over 10 years, were subject to an internal affairs investigation back in October 2022 for this incident.

 

An anonymous tip came in to JMA Media that two officers had done the unimaginable; utilized law enforcement as a way to punish or educate a child for potty training issues. Further details about the incident were provided that the child was handcuffed and placed into the cell to potentially scare or discipline the child.

Childrens’ brains are still developing at the age of three through teen years. Boys take longer than girls and most kids learn to potty train between 3-4 years old. https://www.rileychildrens.org/connections/toddler-refusing-to-be-potty-trained-try-this-pediatricians-tips

Doctors recommend that if a child is not potty trained by 5 years old that they seek the advice of a medical doctor. Nowhere does it mention using psychological warfare of using police and their uses of force, handcuffing or jailing a child. In fact it mentions in most policy that children under a certain age shall never be arrested or falsely imprisoned if they committed no crime or even if they do commit a crime an arrest is not appropriate. 

Attempts to gain access to inspect or review the documents of the IA led to a bill that exceeded $3,100.00. This was the first time in history of obtaining IA records that exceeded $150-200. The department hid in secrecy on this incident along with Director Michael Fowler refusing provide a statement related to the incident that was not yet an IA. A records clerk directed me to the PIO but subsequently made phone lines light up all over the department as soon as I headed to the PIO office.

Arriving at the PIO Office, Nancy Maddox (The PIO), was mysteriously not available and at a meeting from 10am to 2pm according to a secretary. After entering the elevator to go up towards the offices, Maddox was exiting the kitchen and was asked about the incident. She provided little information (see this video).

Maddox was asked about the meetings, she stated it was on the phone, yet phone records only show the incoming and outgoing calls to the police department and to the city manager. No record of any meeting was provided from the city. 

A records custodian probably not authorized to speak on behalf of the department indicated that this was a big deal when asking for records. 

Nancy Maddox and Jessica Long were seen at a restaurant outside of the city during work hours eating lunch. Long was asked about the incident and was requested to comment on the incident. She declined after a rant of typical police behavior asking if I need help, or medical assistance. 

 

Upon asking for the investigation summary or findings I was met with a delay for the records and then that following week Long and Shoenbrod retained or were provided with an attorney to attempt to stop public records. This began around March 24th, 2023. A petition for a temporary injunction was granted by the courts and the records became temporarily sealed.

Unbeknownst to the cops, the video of the incident was already requested and released by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. They were on scene in no law enforcement capacity except for standing by to maintain the peace. (see video) Shoenbrod was seen shaking hands with people on scene while he was in his police uniform.

During the interview he admitted to the allegations of placing the child in the jail cell and handcuffing him. Department of Children and Families (DCF) conducted a risk score after this incident and indicated it was a low risk assessment. 

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) conducted an investigation and found probable cause to charge the two with aggravated child abuse, a first degree felony. It appears that they were never placed on any type of leave and continued working despite the FDLE investigation.

Warrants were obtained and text messages and photographs were recovered that were shared between the two and on department cell phones.

The photographs were not provided as a public records request but the remaining documents can be found here for viewing that the state attorneys office provided.

We are awaiting the FDLE forms and investigation made by the department.

According to the court documents regarding the IA the order indcated the following:

“On March 25, 2023, the IA was concluded on each. The outcome was

identical for each, i.e., the allegation of committing a felony offense whether or not

it was prosecuted was unfounded; whereas, an employee shall not a conduct 

oneself on or off duty in any manner that could engender a lack of respect for the

employee, the City or the Department was sustained.”

We will continue to follow up on this incident.

How Do I Use JUSTFOIA?

I was provided through a public records reqest by the Mount Dora Police Peparment the JUSTFOIA Manual. This manual will help you get justice agains malicions clerks who hide behind public records law by delaying, hiding, or exempting things that should be public. I have provided both a hotlink button to download the manual directly, and a copy of the tutorial here, for your resources. Utilize this manual to select reports, printouts, and their tactics to document all of your requests.

Cop’s Misconduct Brought To Light

Files regarding former Port Orange Police Officer turned Winter Springs Officer William Preston

Completed-IA-Investigation-Packet-PrestonDownload