Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Review of Department of Corrections and Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Processes for Correctional Officer Misconduct

Report 15-08, October 2015




Report Summary

  • Department of Corrections (DOC) correctional officers must obtain certification and maintain good moral character. In instances of alleged misconduct, both DOC and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission can be involved in disciplinary actions.
  • The Department of Corrections investigates and disciplines correctional officers for misconduct. When officers have violated certification requirements, the department refers the case to the commission. Commission staff reviewed over 5,300 DOC correctional officer misconduct cases since 2004. Staff referred 54% of these cases for a probable cause hearing; of these, 90% were presented to the commission for disciplinary action. Approximately two-thirds (67%) of the correctional officers disciplined by the commission lost their certification. Although there are three times as many law enforcement officers as DOC correctional officers, the commission hears more correctional officer cases.
  • Over time, the commission has added new violations and revised existing penalties and the Legislature has modified the commission's jurisdiction and membership. The Legislature may wish to consider revising the commission's membership again by adding new commission members or changing some positions.

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
correctional officers, corrections officers, correctional officer misconduct, correctional officer certification, correctional officer decertification, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, Florida Department of Corrections Inspector General