Policy Text
11/20/25, 2:03 PM FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE
• RELEASE OF A JUVENILE TO THE CUSTODY OF A PARENT OR
LEGAL GUARDIAN.
• JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE OUTLINED IN THE
GENERAL ORDER INDEXED AS JUVENILE OFFENDER PROCEDURE.
• BAKER ACT PROCEDURES, WHICH ARE OUTLINED IN THE
OPERATING PROCEDURE INDEXED AS MEDICAL
PERSONS ARRESTED FOR MISDEMEANORS, COUNTY ORDINANCE
VIOLATIONS, OR CRIMINAL TRAFFIC OFFENSES, MAY BE RELEASED AT
THE SCENE OF ARREST, UPON EXECUTION OF A PROMISE TO APPEAR IN
COURT, RATHER THAN BE BOOKED IN THE COUNTY JAIL, UNLESS THE
ARRESTING OFFICER HAS SPECIFIC GROUNDS TO JUSTIFY PHYSICAL
ARREST AND BOOKING.
AN ACCUSED WHO HAS BEEN PROPERLY IDENTIFIED AND REFUSES TO
SIGN A NOTICE TO APPEAR OR CITATION, OR PROVIDE SUFFICIENT
INFORMATION FOR A NOTICE TO APPEAR, SHALL BE ARRESTED,
TRANSPORTED, AND BOOKED IN THE COUNTY JAIL.
THE DECISION REGARDING AN ARREST SHOULD BE MADE AFTER
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING:
WHETHER THE ARREST WOULD CAUSE A GREATER RISK OF HARM TO
THE PUBLIC THAN NOT ARRESTING THE OFFENDER;
WHETHER THE OFFENSE CAN BEST BE DEALT WITH THROUGH
INFORMAL WARNINGS, SUCH AS WARNINGS OR TALKING WITH THE
PARENTS OF A JUVENILE OFFENDER;
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIME COMMITTED; AND,
WHETHER PUBLIC EMPATHY MAY BE ENHANCED BY CAREFUL USE OF
DISCRETION, AND POTENTIAL ILL WILL CAN BE AVOIDED.
ONCE A VIOLATOR IS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING COMMITTED A CRIME, IT IS
THE DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INITIATE THE CRIMINAL
PROCESS. THERE MAY BE INSTANCES WHEN A CRIME OCCURS AND THE
DEPARTMENT WILL NOT MAKE A PHYSICAL ARREST; HOWEVER, A
REPORT MAY BE WRITTEN AND FURTHER INVESTIGATION INITIATED.
THE DECISION TO MAKE A WARRANTLESS ARREST SHALL BE GUIDED BY
THE FACTUAL SITUATION INVOLVED, THE OFFICERS PROBABLE CAUSE,
AND THE EXIGENCIES THAT MAY EXIST TO WHICH WARRANT
PROCEDURES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE.
IN ORDER TO AID DEPARTMENT MEMBERS IN THE AREAS OF ARRESTS,
SEARCH AND SEIZURE, AND RIGHTS OF ARRESTEES, THE DEPARTMENT
WILL PROVIDE EACH SWORN MEMBER WITH A CURRENT COPY OF THE
FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT HANDBOOK, AS WELL AS HAVING A COPY
OF THE FLORIDA STATE STATUTES AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS. THIS
INFORMATION WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH LEGAL BULLETINS AND
IN-SERVICE TRAINING. [CFA 2.07M]
WHEN A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR ARREST IS MADE, THE ARRESTING
OFFICER SHALL:
11/20/25, 2:03 PM FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE
• INFORM THE INDIVIDUAL OF THE SPECIFIC CHARGES.
• ADVISE AN INDIVIDUAL IN CUSTODY OF HIS/HER
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS PER MIRANDA PRIOR TO ANY INTERROGATION
OR INTERVIEW REGARDING THE SPECIFIC CASE FOR WHICH THEY ARE
DETAINED. OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH
APPROPRIATE STATE STATUTES AND LEGAL GUIDELINES PERTAINING TO
CUSTODIAL INTERROGATIONS.
• DETERMINE IF THE INDIVIDUAL FULLY UNDERSTANDS HIS/HER
RIGHTS.
PRISONERS TO BE INCARCERATED SHALL GENERALLY BE HANDCUFFED
WITH HANDS BEHIND THEIR BACKS BEFORE TRANSPORTING.
EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE IN CASES WHERE EXTENUATING
CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PRESENT, SUCH AS AGE OF OFFENDER, SEVERE
ILLNESS, OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY.
SEARCH OF ARRESTEES:
ALL ARRESTEES ARE TO BE SEARCHED FOR WEAPONS AND
CONTRABAND PRIOR TO ANY TRANSPORT. THIS REQUIREMENT APPLIES
TO ARRESTEES WHO ARE TRANSFERRED FROM THE CUSTODY OF ONE
OFFICER TO ANOTHER, OR ONE AGENCY TO ANOTHER.