Supreme Court Rules on Subpoena Power

The Florida Supreme Court has answered a long-standing question, ruling that citizen police oversight committees do not have the power to subpoena police officers. Based on a 2009 Miami case, the ruling establishes that citizen review panels like the Key West Citizen Review Board cannot force a police officer to testify in their investigation.

“This really doesn’t change the way the Key West Police Department does business with the CRB,” said Chief Donie Lee. “This question ultimately needed to be answered. I’m glad Florida’s high court finally has resolved this issue.”

The Key West CRB has only once issued a subpoena, and they withdrew it. The Miami Dade Police Benevolent Association, which represents the Key West Police Department, has long held that the CRB does not have subpoena power.

The CRB is an independent board with authority to review and/or investigate complaints involving Key West police officers and forward findings and/or recommendations to City management, Chief of Police, State Attorney, other state and federal law enforcement agencies and/or grand juries.

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