Gov. Scott signs Florida probation violator bill

Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill honoring a Fort Myers police officer slain by a domestic violence suspect wanted for a probation violation.

Scott went to Fort Myers on Monday to sign the bill (SB 844). It will let judges order suspects arrested for community supervision violations when they appear in court on new charges.

Abel Arrango was freed on bond for a drug charge in Lee County while still on probation for armed robbery and other crimes in Collier County about a month before he fatally shot Officer Andrew Widman. Police also killed Arrango during a shoot-out.

Under the new law, Arrango could have been arrested on suspicion of violating community supervision although the judge was unaware he was on probation due to a botched data search.