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Gualtieri to Head Parkland Fact-Finding Commission

Bob Gualtieri | PInellas Sheriff | Law Enforcement

The fact-finding commission was created by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri to head a fact-finding group that will investigate failures in the Parkland school shooting.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission was created March 9 when Scott signed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. According to the statute, the commission will “investigate system failures in the Parkland school shooting and prior mass violence incidents and develop recommendations for system improvements.”

Scott, Florida Senate President Joe Negron, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran each appointed five members to the commission. Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, appointed Gualtieri and Scott named him to lead the group.

“I’m honored to appoint five members to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission,” Corcoran said. “The work and recommendations of this commission will, I believe, serve as a model for the nation in addressing school safety and protecting individual liberty. The appointees to the commission bring decades of experience in law enforcement, prosecution, and training civilians to handle firearms and protect a school.”

Corcoran also appointed Max Schachter, the father of Alex Schacter, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd;  Pinellas-Pasco Chief Asst. State Attorney Bruce Bartlett; and Auburndale police Chief Chris Nelson.

Scott appointed Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley; Brevard School Superintendent Desmond Blackburn; Miami Shores police Chief Kevin Lystad; Ryan Petty,  the father of Aliana Petty, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; and Andrew Pollack, the father of Meadow Pollack, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Negron, R-Palm City, appointed state Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation; Douglas Dodd, a member of the Citrus County School Board; James Harpring, undersheriff for Indian River County;  Melissa Larkin-Skinner, chief executive officer at Centerstone Florida and a licensed mental health counselor; and Marsha Powers, a member of the Martin County School Board.

In addition, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen will serve as a member of the commission, and the following members shall serve as ex officio members:

  • Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart
  • Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll
  • Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Christina Daly
  • Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Justin Senior

Bob Gualtieri | Pinellas Sheriff | Rick Scott | Joe Negron | Richard Corcoran | Marjory Stoneman Douglas | Parkland Shooting | Tampabay News

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