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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Rachel Hoffman's 2008 murder in a botched undercover drug buy while deployed as a confidential informant by the Tallahassee Police Department led by Police Chief Dennis Jones was the impetus for the Florida Legislature's passage of "Rachel's Law."
Jones, also former Daytona Beach police chief, is among seven candidates to replace retired New Smyrna Beach Police Chief Ron Pagano.
On May 7, 2009, "Rachel's Law" was passed by the Florida State Senate and signed into law by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, which created a set of stricter parameters in how police departments make uses of confidential informants.
Adhering to the dictates of Rachel's Law is a mandatory state-wide policy for all police departments.
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This snapshot graphic provides the legalese behind the Florida legislative bill that led to passage of Rachel's Law, detailing how confidential informants are to be used by law enforcement in Florida. It is named for Rachel Hoffman, murdered in a botched drug deal set up by the Tallahassee Police Department.
Tenets of Rachel's Law:
1. Requires law enforcement agencies to provide special training for officers who recruit confidential informants;
2. Requires police to instruct informants that reduced sentences may not be provided in exchange for their work;
3. Permit informants to request a lawyer if they want one.
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