Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE ACCREDITATION
Sexual Battery/ Sexual Violence CALEA 42.1.2; 42.1.4; 42.2.1(a-
d); 42.2.2 (a-h); 42.2.3
Investigations
PRIOR REVISIONS
PROPONENT UNIT
07/14/09, 09/05/13
Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
ATTACHMENT:
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
40.1 01/21/02 04/13/2020 13
I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this order is to instruct members on the proper and sensitive
handling of crimes involving sexual violence, and to identify the resources available to support
the victim and the investigation.
Note: This order is not intended to address child victims of sexual violence, which victims must
be addressed with different procedures due to their age and the mandates of relevant State
Statutes.
II. POLICY: It is the policy of the Gainesville Police Department to thoroughly investigate crimes
involving sexual violence using a trauma informed approach and with sensitivity to the special
needs of victims and witnesses. Members’ responses shall not vary on the basis of the
characteristics, status or profession of, or the nature of the relationship between, the victim and
perpetrator.
III. PROCEDURE
A. Florida Statutes: Sexual violence may include the following crimes. This list may not be
all-inclusive:
1. Criminal Offenses Involving Sexual Violence: Applicable and related Florida
State Statutes may include Chapter 794, Sexual Battery; 800.04, Lewdness;
Indecent Exposure; 825, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Elderly Persons and
Disabled Adults; and Chapter 787, Kidnapping; False Imprisonment. If the crime
involves a domestic partner, officers shall also be guided by FSS 741, Domestic
Violence.
2. Public Records Exemption [FSS 794.03; 119]: It is unlawful to publish or
broadcast information identifying sexual offense victims.
3. Payment of Initial Exam [FSS 960.28 (2)]: The victim of a sexual assault may not
be required to pay, directly or indirectly, the cost of an initial forensic
examination.
B. Complaint Taker Responsibilities: [Combined Communications Center personnel
approved this procedure] The Combined Communications Center is operated by the
Alachua Sheriff’s Office and has their own policy and procedures.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
C. Initial Response, Investigation, and Victim Support [CALEA 42.2.1.a] The
responding officer, investigating officer, or other appropriate law enforcement personnel
shall:
1. Respond to the scene; administer first aid, if necessary; request medical support,
if necessary; and protect the crime scene.
EMS should be called to the scene only when the need for medical attention is
immediate (victim was beaten, stabbed, etc.). The victim will usually be treated at
the hospital, where, if possible, all medical review should take place to preserve
as much evidence as possible.
2. Sexual violence crimes are sometimes reported from a location other than the
location of incident. Determine the exact location of the actual crime scene, and
any additional ‘scenes’, such as a vehicle, wooded area, or other location(s) an
assault or component of the crime occurred or may have occurred. [CALEA
42.2.1.c]
i. Immediately secure, or ensure the security of, all related crime
scenes/areas.
ii. Request that crime scene personnel respond.
iii. Ensure that all related items of evidence are identified, photographed,
and collected.
3. Request via the Combined Communications Center to have a Victim Advocate
from the Alachua County Office of Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center
(certified) respond to the victim’s location. A Victim Advocate is on-call 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. The Victim Advocate will explain the services available to
the victim through the Alachua County Office of Victim Services and Rape Crisis
Center.
4. Always use a trauma informed approach.
i. Allow the victim to regain as much control as possible.
ii. Attempt to gain the victim’s trust and confidence by showing empathy,
patience and respect for personal dignity and using language appropriate
to the age, educational level and emotional condition of the victim.
5. Conduct a preliminary interview with the victim to establish the facts of the
reported crime.
i. Initial questioning should be limited to those matters necessary to identify
the victim, suspect, and witnesses, and to describe and locate the
suspect, witnesses, and physical evidence. Limit the use of the “why”
question as it tends to move blame and shame back to the victim.
[CALEA 42.2.1.b]
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ii. If the victim initiates a request, preferring to talk to an officer of another
gender (rather than that of the present officer), this request should be
honored, if possible.
iii. Similarly, requests for the presence of victim support persons (friend,
significant other, etc.) during this interview should be honored, if practical.
iv. Once an initial investigation is complete, notify the Criminal Investigations
Division.
6. Generate initial, as well as subsequent, broadcasts with ‘BOLO” information so
that the chances of apprehending the suspect increase. Department members
should complete a BOLO via the GPD aggregator internal website.
7. Locate witnesses and conduct interviews. Canvas the area for video surveillance.
[CALEA 42.2.1.b.d]
8. When possible, locate the suspect(s) and conduct interview(s). [CALEA 42.2.1.d]
9. Request, as appropriate, that the victim consent to an initial forensic physical
examination, emphasizing its importance for his/her physical well-being as well
as the investigative and suspect apprehension efforts.
i. Transport the victim to the emergency room of Shands at the University of
Florida.
a. Prior to transport, advise the victim to bring a complete change of
clothing, as it is likely that the clothing he/she is wearing will be
collected as evidence (whether or not it was worn at the time of
the crime). [CALEA 42.2.1.c]
b. If a medical emergency indicates that a victim requires transport
by ambulance, brief the ambulance crew regarding the
circumstances.
c. If an unusual circumstance prohibits transport by an officer, and
ambulance transportation is not indicated, the crime victim
advocate may be able to assist with transporting the victim.
ii. Ensure that the victim is escorted into the receiving facility in a discreet
manner.
10. If a physical examination is conducted, the forensic nurse practitioner, when
available, should attend to the victim.
i. Request that medical or other appropriate personnel take photographs
and provide written documentation of the victim’s injuries.
ii. Ensure that a sexual assault kit is utilized.
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iii. If there is a possibility that a drug was administered to perpetrate the
crime, the officer must request that a grey-top vial of blood be drawn and
a urine sample obtained for drug testing purposes.
iv. Following the Attorney General’s protocol, the officer shall sign a Sexual
Battery Claim Form (to verify that the medical exam was for an official
investigation).
v. Collect the sexual assault exam kit as evidence, noting all persons in the
collection and chain of custody of the evidence.
This kit, as well as any other evidence, shall be submitted in accordance
with the procedures outlined in GO 84.1.
vi. At the request of the victim or the victim’s parent, guardian, or lawful
representative, a victim advocate from a certified rape crisis center shall
be permitted to attend any forensic medical examination.
vii. After the medical exam, transport (or ensure transportation for) the victim
to the location of his/her choice within the local vicinity.
Consult a supervisor if the location is a significant distance outside the
City for permission to transport or request assistance from another
agency to transport.
11. Provide the victim with the Crime Victims’ Rights brochure as required by Florida
Statute 960.001 and Victim’s Bill of Rights Brochure.
12. Provide t